Former Anambra State Governor and Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate Peter Obi has called for greater unity among Nigeria’s opposition political forces ahead of the 2027 general election, saying the country’s political leaders must place the interests of Nigerians above personal ambitions.
Obi made the call on Monday while attending the commissioning of the 2027 presidential campaign office of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and the Allied Peoples Movement in Abuja. His appearance at the event was seen as a show of solidarity with Makinde, who is also seeking the presidency in 2027.
Speaking at the event, Obi said the objective should not be centred on which individual ultimately wins the presidential contest but on ensuring that Nigeria emerges stronger and more united. He said any candidate who wins through a free, fair and credible election should receive the cooperation of other political leaders in the interest of the country.
Obi described Makinde as qualified to contest for the presidency and said political differences should not prevent opposition figures from working together. He stressed that Nigeria needs a political culture in which leaders can disagree without turning political competition into permanent hostility.
The former Anambra governor also pointed to the challenges facing ordinary Nigerians, including poverty, hunger and insecurity, arguing that the country could not continue along its current path. He said political leaders should concentrate on finding solutions to the problems affecting citizens rather than allowing disagreements over political positions to dominate the national conversation.
Obi's position comes as opposition parties and presidential contenders intensify discussions over possible cooperation ahead of the 2027 election. Several opposition figures have been involved in consultations aimed at determining whether competing parties can establish a stronger common platform capable of challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress.
The question of opposition unity has become increasingly important because several prominent politicians are pursuing separate political ambitions. Obi is the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, while Makinde is seeking the presidency under the Allied Peoples Movement. Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and other opposition figures are also involved in the wider political realignment ahead of the election.
The opposition's challenge, however, goes beyond making public declarations of unity. Previous efforts to build a common political front have faced disagreements over leadership, party structures, presidential tickets and the interests of individual politicians.
Makinde has also argued that opposition forces can defeat the ruling party if they are able to overcome their differences and work together. His campaign platform describes the political project as an effort to reset Nigeria and build a stronger future for the country.
The latest development therefore places greater attention on the relationship between Obi and Makinde as the 2027 political contest gathers momentum. Their public show of cooperation does not by itself establish that either politician will step down for the other or that a final opposition presidential arrangement has been reached.
For now, Obi's message is that the outcome of the election should ultimately serve the country rather than individual political ambitions. He said Nigerians should be prepared to support whoever emerges through a credible process and that political leaders should be willing to work together after the election.
The broader opposition movement still faces the difficult task of turning such appeals into a concrete political arrangement. Earlier unity efforts have involved proposals for a common presidential candidate and a broader coalition, but disagreements among opposition groups show that achieving a single platform will require negotiations over both principles and political interests.
With the 2027 election approaching, the ability of opposition leaders to translate their calls for unity into an organised and credible alliance could become one of the defining issues of the emerging political contest.
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