The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) presidential candidate also said he was willing to work with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, despite the political disagreements surrounding their relationship.
Governor Seyi Makinde, the presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), says he is prepared to work with politicians from across party lines—including Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate Peter Obi and African Democratic Congress (ADC) flagbearer Atiku Abubakar—to help “reset” Nigeria.
Makinde, however, ruled out working with President Bola Tinubu, citing a past agreement that he said the President had failed to honour.
The governor made the remarks during an interview with Arise News. He was asked whether he considered Obi qualified to become president and whether he would be willing to work with him if the opportunity arose.
“Of course,” Makinde replied when asked whether Obi was qualified to lead the country.
He said he was open to collaborating with Nigerians regardless of their political affiliation, including members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“I’m willing to work with any Nigerian, even whether you’re in the APC,” he said.
But when the interviewer specifically asked about working with Tinubu, Makinde expressed reservations. He said his position was informed by his previous dealings with the President, during which an agreement had allegedly been signed but not honoured.
“Well, I’ve had a certain experience with him, where an agreement was signed and he didn’t keep to it,” Makinde said.
The governor said he had not had a similar experience with Obi or Atiku, and indicated that he remained open to working with them. He did not, however, outline the specific arrangements or conditions that any prospective collaboration would involve.
Asked whether he would reconsider his position if Tinubu personally approached him with an invitation to work together to reset Nigeria, Makinde said such an approach would be welcome, but stressed that any agreement would need safeguards.
“Well, that would really be nice, you know. But there must be safeguards for Nigeria,” he said.
“This is not like we’re just playing. This is the future of Nigeria. This is also about the destiny that Nigeria must fulfil.”
Makinde also said he was willing to work with Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike, despite the political disagreements surrounding their relationship. Asked whether he would collaborate with Wike if the minister sought reconciliation, Makinde said there was no personal issue preventing them from working together.
“Of course, there’s nothing personal here,” he said.
When asked why he was open to working with Wike but not Tinubu, Makinde said the circumstances were different.
“Well, for the FCT minister, you know, his own cases are different from the President,” he said.
Explaining his disagreement with Tinubu, Makinde questioned why Nigerians should be asked to enter into or support another agreement without first being shown whether earlier commitments had been fulfilled. He said the public should be able to assess the results of any previous arrangement.
“If you agree on something and you’re asking me to do the same thing again, then give the scorecard. Tell us if the agreement was fulfilled. What have Nigerians got out of this?” he asked.
Makinde’s comments come amid political realignments and discussions among opposition figures ahead of the 2027 general elections. His remarks signal an openness to cross-party cooperation, while also making clear that trust and accountability would be central to any potential partnership.
Although he named Obi, Atiku and Wike as people with whom he would be willing to work, Makinde did not specify what form such cooperation might take or identify the safeguards he would seek. He maintained, however, that any political arrangement should be judged by whether it delivers results for Nigerians.
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