The Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM) has urged former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi to shelve their individual presidential ambitions and support Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde as the opposition’s consensus candidate for the 2027 presidential election.
The call came amid intensified consultations among opposition parties and political groups seeking to produce a single candidate capable of challenging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The APM made the appeal ahead of an expected meeting of the G-100, a pressure group advocating a unified opposition platform for the 2027 election.
Speaking with journalists in Abuja on Monday, APM National Publicity Secretary, Abubakar Yusuf, said negotiations among opposition stakeholders were ongoing and had reached an advanced stage.
Yusuf said the APM was participating in the consultations because of what he described as growing demands from Nigerians for opposition parties to unite and provide a credible alternative to the APC.
“I can confirm that discussions and consultations among opposition parties are ongoing and have reached an advanced stage on the possibility of presenting a single presidential candidate.
“It is a delicate process because it involves competing interests and ambitions. But beyond individual considerations, we in the APM are listening to Nigerians. The message we are receiving is that opposition parties should come together, build a stronger political platform and give Nigerians a credible alternative in 2027,” he said.
The APM spokesman said another factor that should be considered in choosing the opposition’s consensus candidate was what he described as growing support in parts of the country for a southern candidate to succeed Tinubu in 2027.
According to Yusuf, the argument is that the South should be allowed to complete another four-year presidential tenure before power returns to the North.
“Whether one agrees with it or not, there is a strong sentiment in the country that the South should produce the president after Tinubu, allowing the region to complete another four-year tenure before power returns to the North.
“That sentiment cannot simply be ignored in any serious discussion about a consensus candidate,” he said.
Yusuf said Makinde was particularly suited to lead the opposition coalition, citing his performance in Oyo State, growing national visibility and appeal among young Nigerians and professionals.
He argued that the governor’s political influence extended beyond traditional party structures, describing him as a candidate capable of attracting support from different sections of the electorate.
“Without prejudging the outcome of the consultations, we believe Governor Makinde stands out as a strong candidate for the opposition consensus ticket.
“His record in Oyo State, his connection with younger Nigerians, professionals and ordinary citizens, as well as his growing national visibility, make him a compelling option,” Yusuf said.
He added that Nigerians were increasingly seeking a change in the country’s political direction and leadership that could address insecurity, economic challenges, youth unemployment and infrastructure deficits.
“Across the country, there is a clear desire for a new direction. Nigerians are looking for leadership that offers practical solutions rather than excuses, theories and blame.
“They want someone who can address insecurity, revive the economy, create opportunities for young people and improve critical infrastructure. We believe Governor Makinde represents that possibility,” he said.
The APM spokesman also said Makinde’s southern background could help opposition parties navigate the broader regional considerations surrounding the 2027 presidential contest.
He maintained that a southern candidate could address the call for continuity of the region’s tenure while providing the opposition with an opportunity to build a broad coalition around a candidate with an established political base.
Asked whether the presidential ambitions of Atiku and Obi were contributing to the difficulty in producing a consensus candidate, Yusuf said he could not speak for either politician or their supporters.
He, however, appealed to all opposition stakeholders to place national interest above personal ambitions.
“I cannot speak for Senator Atiku Abubakar or Peter Obi, and I will not pretend to know their individual calculations. What is important at this stage is for all stakeholders to look beyond personal interests and consider what will best serve the country.
“If the objective is to produce a candidate capable of defeating President Tinubu, then every option should be considered objectively.
“From our assessment, Governor Seyi Makinde is best positioned to lead that effort, and we urge our colleagues, including Atiku and Obi, to support that possibility in the larger interest of Nigeria,” Yusuf said.
