Obi Says Makinde Is Fit To Be President

The commissioning of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) Makinde/Daura Presidential Campaign Headquarters in Abuja yesterday brought together APM Presidential candidate Governor Seyi Makinde and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) Presidential candidate Mr. Peter Obi.

Obi declared that Makinde is qualified to be President of Nigeria, and that the journey to “reset Nigeria” has begun ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The event comes amid G100 coalition talks among opposition parties to build a united front and field credible alternatives focused on governance, security and economic reform for 2027.

Speaking at the event, APM National Chairman, Dr. Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, said the turnout reflected Nigerians’ yearning for a new direction built on competence, courage, compassion and accountability.
He described the office as the engine room of the party’s victory.

Dantalle said APM offers a viable alternative anchored on integrity, sacrifice and service to redirect the country from its perilous course.

According to him, the party has presented credible candidates who will lead campaigns across the country for various positions.

He said the Makinde/Daura ticket represents hope for good governance, national security, economic prosperity and socio-religious harmony.

Dantalle assured that as President, Makinde would be a leader for all Nigerians, citing his achievements as Governor of Oyo State.

The APM Chairman expressed confidence that with Daura, a former head of a critical security service, as Vice President, insecurity would be tackled decisively. He added that Nigerians would be able to go about their business without fear of kidnapping and terrorism.

Dantalle said the APM campaign would be issue-based and focused on solutions rather than bitterness and division.

He described the 2027 election as a defining moment to build a strong, united, prosperous and just democratic society.

“This is not about party or personality. It is about rescuing Nigeria and restoring dignity to every citizen,” Dantalle said.

He commended APM National Leader, Governor Bala Mohammed, the National Working Committee, campaign directors and candidates nationwide.

Dantalle also congratulated newly elected Chairmen and Councillors in Bauchi State, where APM won all local government seats, saying it signals victory in 2027.

“Join APM to reset Nigeria with Makinde and Daura. Our best days are still ahead of us,” he stated.

Also speaking, APM Presidential candidate, Governor Seyi Makinde, said Nigerians deserve to benefit directly from crude oil produced in the country, calling for a domestic pricing framework that reflects local realities.

Makinde said the petroleum sector must be opened up for full public scrutiny to end opacity in costs and revenue.

“Why should crude oil supplied to Nigerian refineries be priced as though it was imported from abroad?” he asked.

“If a community grows food, its people should not pay import prices. The same logic must apply to our oil,” he added.

Makinde said citizens must know production volumes, domestic allocation, refining costs, transportation, taxes and retail margins.

According to him, transparency is the only way to build trust and ensure that economic growth translates to better living standards.

He noted that he had made the same case at the National Economic Council, stressing that benefits to Nigerians must be built into policy from the start, not through last-minute interventions.

The governor urged market women, farmers, business owners and young people to join the national conversation on economic reform, saying rising transport costs and unstable fuel prices affect them most.

Makinde recalled being written off ahead of his first election in Oyo State.

He said those dismissing APM today are also dismissing millions of Nigerians who want competent and accountable leadership.

He then commissioned the campaign office and invited Nigerians to use it as a platform for ideas ahead of 2027.

Similarly, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, attended the commissioning and said nation-building must go beyond party lines.

In a direct endorsement at the event, Obi declared Makinde fit for the highest office.

“We want a Nigeria of unity, inclusion; we have a candidate who is contesting for President today, my dear brother Makinde. Is he qualified to be President? Yes, he is qualified,” Obi said.

Obi said he came to show solidarity and to promote cooperation among political leaders so Nigerians can freely choose their preferred candidate.

“For us, we don’t have desperation. We want the people of Nigeria to make their choice,” he said.

The NDC candidate also said that the credibility of the 2027 polls will determine Nigeria’s stability.

“Our people are hungry. Our people are poor. Our people are insecure. Whoever wins genuinely, all of us must come together to save this country from collapse,” he added.

Obi called for a departure from politics of quarrel to governance that puts citizens first.

“What is our disagreement? Let our work be to feed our people, to put our children first. We are all children of Nigeria. All of us must work as one family,” he stated.

He commended APM for opening its campaign headquarters and said such platforms should be used to deepen dialogue on policy.

“I thank you for what you are doing here and I assure you we remain united in our efforts to build the Nigeria of our dreams. God bless all of you,” Obi said.