The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) has endorsed Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde as its preferred consensus candidate to lead a potential opposition alliance against President Bola Tinubu in the upcoming 2027 presidential election.
Speaking to reporters in Abuja on Monday, APM National Publicity Secretary Abubakar Yusuf called on rival opposition presidential aspirants to set aside personal ambitions and unite behind Makinde, describing him as the politician with the strongest prospect of defeating the ruling party.
Yusuf noted that consultations among opposition groups are reaching an advanced stage to form a united front, stating that Makinde “comes clearer as the best opposition consensus presidential candidate.”
The proposal comes amid growing friction in opposition realignment efforts, as prominent figures including Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Party and Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress appear reluctant to step down from their respective presidential bids. Addressing these competing interests, Yusuf acknowledged the sensitive nature of the discussions but stressed that creating a viable alternative to the current administration must take priority, adding that “what Nigerians want is for opposition parties to come together, form a strong front and defeat President Tinubu.”
On regional considerations, the APM spokesman pointed to arguments that power should remain in the South for another four-year term before returning to the North. Beyond zoning considerations, Yusuf credited Makinde’s gubernatorial record, popularity among young voters, and practical policy framework for tackling the country’s security, economic, and infrastructure problems. He maintained that Makinde is “the only candidate with the blueprint to secure the nation, revamp the economy, create new jobs and revitalise our comatose infrastructure.”
While acknowledging he could not speak for other camps regarding their reluctance to join a single ticket, Yusuf appealed to all stakeholders to subordinate individual ambitions for a broader coalition. The search for a unified opposition platform remains a central focus as political groups strategise ahead of the 2027 contest.