The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) has called on other opposition parties in the country to support its presidential candidate, Seyi Makinde, in the 2027 elections.
The party made the call on Monday through its National Publicity Secretary, Abubakar Yusuf, amid a push by some opposition leaders to produce a single opposition presidential candidate capable of challenging President Bola Tinubu at the polls.
The push, sponsored by a political pressure group identified as G-100, has set Monday, August 31, for a meeting to further its objective.
Naija News reports that ahead of the planned meeting, the APM has thrown its weight behind Governor Makinde of Oyo State to emerge as the preferred candidate.
Yusuf urged other opposition presidential aspirants to put aside personal ambitions and support Makinde, whom he described as the politician with the strongest prospects of defeating President Tinubu.
Addressing newsmen in Abuja, the APM spokesperson confirmed ongoing discussions among opposition parties to present a common candidate against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
While describing the process as sensitive because of the competing interests involved, the APM image maker maintained that the desire for an alternative to the present administration should take precedence.
“I can confirm to you that discussions and consultations among opposition parties are going on well and reaching an advanced stage on the issue of a single presidential candidate.
“Without prejudice to the outcome of the consultations, Governor Makinde comes clearer as the best opposition consensus presidential candidate.
“It is a delicate issue that touches on interests. But most importantly, we, especially in the APM, are listening to Nigerians. What Nigerians want is for opposition parties to come together, form a strong front and defeat President Tinubu in the 2027 elections,” Yusuf said.
As part of his argument, Yusuf urged opposition leaders to respect the rotation formula and allow the South to complete another four-year tenure before power potentially returns to the North.
He cited Makinde’s performance as governor and his alleged popularity among young people, professionals and other sections of the electorate as factors that, in the APM’s view, give him an advantage over other contenders.
“Go across the country and ask questions. You will notice that Nigerians want a new beginning. They want a leader with new and practical ideas, not theories and finger-pointing; a leader with answers and solutions, and Governor Makinde fits into the frame,” Yusuf said.
He further argued that the Oyo State Governor has the solution to addressing Nigeria’s recurring security challenges.
“He is the only candidate with the blueprint to secure the nation, revamp the economy, create new jobs and revitalise our comatose infrastructure. This is a fact that you can verify,” the APM spokesperson added.
He also dismissed the suggestion that the party’s endorsement of Makinde was based solely on the argument over regional rotation.
“Also, don’t overlook the fact that Makinde is from the South, that is, having regard to the sentiment that the South should be allowed to replace President Tinubu to complete the remaining four-year tenure after which power will go to the North,” he said.
Asked whether the reported reluctance of the Atiku and Obi camps to embrace a single opposition candidate was connected to the regional consideration or their individual presidential ambitions, Yusuf said he could not speak for the two politicians.
He, however, appealed to all opposition stakeholders to drop their personal interests and ambitions in order to produce a single opposition candidate capable of mounting a serious challenge to the APC and Tinubu in 2027.
“I cannot speak for them. What is important now is for all stakeholders to set aside their personal interests and support Governor Makinde, who we insist is best positioned to defeat President Tinubu at the election,” he said.
