Peter Obi Attends Makinde’s Campaign Office Launch in Abuja

Former Anambra State Governor and presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, on Monday attended the inauguration of the presidential campaign office of Oyo State Governor and Allied Peoples Movement (APM) candidate, Seyi Makinde, in Abuja.

Obi arrived at the venue in the Federal Capital Territory as the APM formally commenced its presidential campaign activities ahead of the election.

The campaign office, located in Wuse II, Abuja, is expected to serve as the national coordinating centre for the Makinde-Lawan Daura presidential campaign.

The APM had earlier announced that the office would coordinate its nationwide campaign and support the mobilisation of voters ahead of the presidential election.

The party said its campaign would focus on issues, policy proposals and Makinde’s record in governance.

Obi was seen at the ceremony alongside senior political figures, including Bauchi State Governor and APM National Leader, Bala Mohammed.

The gathering also attracted party officials, supporters and other political stakeholders as the APM moved to establish its presence ahead of the 2027 presidential contest.

The appearance of Obi at the event comes amid continued political realignments among opposition figures ahead of the next general election.

Makinde had earlier declared his presidential ambition on the APM platform and was subsequently adopted as the party’s presidential candidate.

Makinde emerged as the APM presidential candidate in May after the party’s nomination process in Ibadan, Oyo State.

He subsequently positioned his campaign around what he described as the need to reset the country and introduce practical reforms.

The governor has repeatedly argued that Nigeria requires a different approach to governance, particularly in the areas of security, the economy and public welfare.

At Monday’s event, Mohammed warned political opponents against underestimating the APM and its presidential candidate.

The Bauchi governor said the party was prepared to challenge the established political forces in the 2027 election and present Makinde as a candidate capable of changing the direction of the country.

“Whoever disregards us is at his own peril, we are here to reset Nigeria and we are bringing in one of the best human capitals that Nigeria has ever produced at the sub-national and national level, that is Makinde,” Mohammed said.

Mohammed also urged Nigerians to pay attention to Makinde’s record as governor of Oyo State, arguing that his experience in managing the state had prepared him for a bigger political responsibility.

He described Makinde as a politician with experience in mobilisation and administration. He also highlighted the governor’s background as an engineer and his management of public resources.

Mohammed said, “The beauty of having a good party is to have a good leader; the chairman of the party is an erudite young person who is also leading older political parties in Nigeria as the chairman of IPAC.

“Nantale has set out what we are about to do, and this office is solely provided by the presidential candidate; it will show you that we mean business.

“Whoever disregard us is at his own peril, we are here to reset Nigeria and we are bringing in one of the best human capitals that Nigeria has ever produced at the sub-national and national level, that is Makinde.

“I don’t want Nigerians to underrate him, especially the candidates and they would see the wonders of the world, this is a mobilizer, a manager of resources, an engineer per excellence.

“Somebody who used little resources and did so much. Where there was abject neglect and abandonment in Oyo State, he brought urban renewal to a level that nobody has ever done it.”

The party has said its campaign will seek to convince voters that Makinde can provide an alternative to the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

In a statement ahead of the opening of the campaign office, the APM said it was entering the race with the intention of offering Nigerians what it described as a credible alternative focused on security, prosperity, accountability and national development.

Makinde has also presented his presidential bid as a national project rather than a personal ambition.

When he accepted the APM presidential nomination in May, he said his objective was to restore hope and rebuild confidence in Nigeria.

His emergence has added another major name to an increasingly crowded 2027 presidential contest.

Makinde, who is serving his second term as governor of Oyo State, will leave office in 2027 due to the constitutional limit on the number of terms a governor can serve.

His presidential campaign is therefore coming at a time when political parties are already positioning their candidates and structures across the country.

The APM has also completed its presidential ticket with Lawan Daura as Makinde’s running mate.

The choice gives the party a North-South combination as it seeks to expand its support beyond Oyo State and the South-West.

The party has continued to promote the “Reset Nigeria” message as the central theme of its campaign.

Its campaign platform says the movement is focused on competent leadership, shared prosperity and a government that serves the interests of Nigerians.