2027: Atiku, Makinde Move Closer to Alliance Deal to Unseat Tinubu

2027: Atiku, Makinde Move Closer to Alliance Deal to Unseat Tinubu

 

Former Vice-President, Oyo Governor Hold Secret Talks, Reach Key Compromises as Opposition Coalition Gathers Momentum

 

ABUJA — Fresh political developments ahead of the 2027 presidential election have emerged following reports that former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde are making significant progress towards forming a political alliance aimed at challenging President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.

 

Representatives of the two prominent opposition figures have reportedly held a series of meetings and reached important compromises as negotiations gather momentum towards a possible political arrangement ahead of the January 16, 2027 presidential election.

 

The development comes amid growing efforts by opposition politicians to unite behind a common political platform capable of dislodging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

 

According to a report by Sunday PUNCH, the negotiations between Atiku and Makinde are separate from broader consultations involving other opposition leaders who are exploring the possibility of presenting a consensus presidential candidate against Tinubu.

 

Makinde, who is the presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), has remained a vocal critic of the Tinubu administration and has previously supported efforts to build a united opposition front ahead of the next general election.

 

On April 25, 2026, the Oyo governor convened an opposition summit at the Government House in Ibadan, where political leaders discussed the possibility of presenting a single presidential candidate to challenge the APC.

 

However, the initiative has faced difficulties, largely because prominent opposition figures, including Atiku, Makinde and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, have continued to maintain their individual presidential ambitions.

 

Despite the challenges, indications are emerging that political calculations may be changing as discussions between the different camps intensify.

 

Makinde reportedly confirmed on Friday that he was holding consultations with opposition leaders, including Atiku and Obi.

 

Speaking during an interview on Arise News, the governor acknowledged that discussions were ongoing, stressing that the outcome could determine whether the politicians would eventually become political rivals or collaborators in the 2027 election.

 

“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 was quoted as saying.

 

Sources familiar with the negotiations reportedly expressed optimism that an agreement between Atiku and Makinde was increasingly possible.

 

A South-West leader of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), who spoke anonymously to Sunday PUNCH, described the negotiations as fresh, purposeful and promising.

 

The source expressed confidence that both camps were making progress and suggested that the proposed arrangement could be formally unveiled before January 16.

 

Similarly, an APM candidate familiar with Makinde’s political movement reportedly disclosed that the Oyo governor was likely to work with Atiku in the forthcoming presidential election.

 

According to the source, several virtual and physical meetings had taken place between representatives of the two politicians in recent weeks, with considerable progress reportedly recorded.

 

The source said the discussions had produced compromises and that both camps were working towards making their political arrangement public.

 

Meanwhile, the Oyo State Government has acknowledged that Makinde is engaging other opposition leaders, although it stopped short of confirming that a final agreement had been reached with Atiku.

 

The state’s Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, said Makinde was not opposed to working with other political tendencies if such an arrangement offered a realistic opportunity to address Nigeria’s challenges.

 

Oyelade described the politicians involved in the consultations as experienced political actors who understood the complexities of contemporary Nigerian politics.

 

He added that the governor was particularly concerned about the country’s economic difficulties and the hardship facing ordinary Nigerians.

 

The ADC has also confirmed that opposition parties remain engaged in discussions aimed at building a common political front against the ruling APC.

 

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, told Sunday PUNCH that the consultations were not restricted to any particular political figure or party.

 

“All opposition parties are still talking. And it’s never too late,” Abdullahi reportedly stated.

 

Atiku’s camp also confirmed that the former vice-president was holding discussions with opposition leaders as part of efforts to establish a stronger political coalition ahead of the election.

 

His Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, said the engagements were aimed at bringing opposition leaders together to provide Nigerians with an alternative to the current administration.

 

According to Shaibu, the objective was to restore responsible leadership, improve living conditions and address the country’s numerous challenges.

 

However, neither the ADC spokesperson nor Atiku’s aide specifically confirmed that a concluded agreement had been reached between Atiku and Makinde.

 

One of the major issues that could determine the success of the proposed alliance is the question of the presidential ticket and the political concessions both camps may be willing to make.

 

With Atiku, Makinde and Obi among the prominent opposition figures with presidential ambitions, reaching an acceptable power-sharing arrangement could prove difficult.

 

Political observers have continued to argue that the opposition’s chances of defeating Tinubu could be weakened if influential politicians insist on pursuing separate presidential tickets.

 

The reported negotiations therefore represent another significant development in the ongoing efforts to consolidate opposition forces ahead of the 2027 general election.

 

The G-100 political pressure group, convened by former Director-General of the Progressives Governors’ Forum, Salihu Lukman, is also reportedly working towards facilitating a broader opposition coalition.

 

The group has held consultations with prominent opposition figures, including Atiku, Obi and Makinde, as part of efforts to build consensus around a common political platform and a formidable presidential candidate.

 

Although the proposed Atiku-Makinde alliance has yet to be officially announced, the latest developments suggest that negotiations are gaining momentum.

 

Whether the emerging political understanding will eventually produce a united opposition capable of confronting Tinubu remains to be seen as the 2027 presidential election approaches.

 

2027: Atiku, Makinde Move Closer to Alliance Deal to Unseat Tinubu