Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has described Seyi Makinde, his counterpart in the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), as qualified to become Nigeria’s president.
Gatekeepers News reports that Obi spoke on Monday in Abuja at the unveiling of Makinde’s presidential campaign office ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The former Anambra governor said Nigerians should be allowed to freely choose their preferred candidate, urging opposition political parties to set aside their differences and work together to “rescue Nigeria”.
“A Nigeria of unity and inclusion. We have a candidate who is contesting the presidency today: my dear brother Seyi Makinde. Is he qualified to be president? Yes,” Obi said.
He said political leaders should respect the outcome of a free, fair and credible election, regardless of who emerges victorious.
“What we are doing today is to show you that, for us, we don’t have desperation. We want the people of Nigeria to make their choice. Whoever they choose, all of us will come together to build a new Nigeria.
“We can’t all continue the way we are going today. Our people are hungry. Our people are poor. Our people are insecure. Whoever wins, genuinely, from a free, fair and credible election, we all want to work together to save this country from collapse.”
Obi also called for an end to confrontational politics, saying political leaders should focus on addressing the economic and social challenges confronting Nigerians.
“We don’t want politics of quarrel, politics of disagreement. Let our quarrel be to feed our people. Let our quarrel be to pull our people out of poverty,” he said.
He further advocated for a Nigeria where citizens can achieve their aspirations regardless of their social background or political connections.
“We want a Nigeria where a child of nobody can be somebody without knowing anybody. That’s what we want. And all of us will work as a family. And I assure you that we remain united in our rescue for our dear country, Nigeria,” he added.
Makinde and Obi are among the opposition figures positioning themselves for the 2027 presidential election.
Makinde is contesting under the APM, while Obi is the presidential candidate of the NDC.
Atiku Abubakar is the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), while President Bola Tinubu is seeking re-election under the All Progressives Congress (APC).
