2027: Makinde; Atiku Abubakar May Form Alliance Before General Election
Fresh details have emerged about ongoing negotiations between former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde over a possible political alliance ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Representatives of the two politicians have reportedly held a series of meetings and reached compromises as discussions intensify over a possible arrangement to challenge President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Sources familiar with the negotiations disclosed that discussions between Atiku and Makinde were progressing, with both camps optimistic about reaching an agreement that could see the two politicians work together in the 2027 election.
A report by the Punch indicated that the negotiations between the former vice-president and the Oyo State governor were separate from broader consultations among opposition leaders seeking to present a common presidential candidate against Tinubu.
Makinde has been among the prominent opposition figures critical of Tinubu’s administration and has supported efforts to unite opposition politicians ahead of the next general election.
On April 25, the governor convened an opposition summit at the Government House in Ibadan, Oyo State, where political leaders discussed the possibility of presenting a single presidential candidate to challenge the APC in 2027.
However, efforts to establish a broad opposition coalition have yet to produce a concrete agreement, as major political figures, including Atiku, Makinde and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, have continued to maintain their presidential ambitions.
Despite the differences, Makinde recently confirmed that he was consulting with opposition leaders, including Atiku and Obi, over possible political cooperation ahead of the election.
Speaking during an interview on Arise News on Friday, the governor said the ongoing discussions could determine whether the politicians would eventually become rivals or collaborators in the 2027 presidential contest.
“Depending on what we see between now and the election time, we may be rivals; we may be collaborators. One may be the client of the other,” Makinde said.
However, fresh disclosures from individuals familiar with the negotiations suggest that the discussions between Atiku and Makinde have made considerable progress.
A leader of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the South-West, expressed optimism that the proposed alliance would materialise.
The party chieftain described the negotiations as fresh, purposeful and promising, adding that both politicians could soon formally announce their plans.
When asked when the proposed agreement would become public, the ADC leader jokingly replied, “before January 16.”
Similarly, an Allied Peoples Movement (APM) candidate familiar with Makinde’s political movement disclosed that the governor was expected to work with Atiku in the 2027 presidential election.
According to him, several meetings involving representatives of both camps had taken place in recent weeks, with discussions reportedly producing positive outcomes.
“The available information is that the Atiku and Makinde alliance is very possible, and it is taking shape. A series of meetings, both virtual and physical, have been held in the last few weeks, and they are fruitful,” he said.
He added that both camps had made compromises and were expected to unveil the proposed arrangement soon.
“What is on the ground shows that both parties have reached compromises and they are going to unveil that very soon,” the APM candidate stated
