Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has declared that Seyi Makinde of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) is qualified to serve as Nigeria’s president.
Obi made the statement on Monday in Abuja during the unveiling of Makinde’s presidential campaign office ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The former Anambra governor said Nigerians should have the freedom to decide who they want to lead the country, while urging opposition politicians 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 stressed that his support for a democratic process was not driven by desperation, saying the ultimate decision should rest with Nigerian voters.
“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,” he said.
Obi said the country could no longer afford to continue on its current path, citing hunger, poverty and insecurity among the challenges confronting citizens.
“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.”
He also called on politicians to redirect their energy from disagreements and political confrontation towards addressing the difficulties facing 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.
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According to Obi, political leaders should focus on creating opportunities that allow Nigerians to succeed irrespective of their family background or personal 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 opposition politicians 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).