The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Peter Obi, said yesterday that opposition presidential candidates are not divided and are ready to work together with whoever is chosen by Nigerians.
Obi spoke on Monday in Abuja during the commissioning of the presidential campaign office of Seyi Makinde, presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), and his running mate, Lawal Daura.
Also speaking, Daura called on opposition leaders to come together and provide a qualitative opposition, saying such an opposition would be beneficial to Nigerians.
Obi’s presence at the event has sparked fresh debate over the possibility of opposition presidential candidates working together ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The development followed a summit organised by the G-100, which has been advocating a coalition of opposition parties to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faction led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki were also present at the commissioning. The delegation was led by former Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu and other party stakeholders.
Speaking at the event, Obi said the opposition was not desperate but focused on ensuring that Nigerians freely choose who governs them.
He said he would support whoever emerged through a free, fair and credible process.
“For us, we don’t have desperation. We want the people of Nigeria to make their choice. Whoever they choose, all of us will come together to build a new Nigeria.
“We can’t all continue the way we are going today. Our people are hungry. Our people are poor. Our people are insecure. Whoever wins, genuinely, from a free, fair and credible election, we all want to work together to save this country from collapse.”
Obi said the opposition was redefining politics by moving away from quarrels and disagreements to issues that directly affect Nigerians.
“We don’t want politics of quarrel, politics of disagreement. Let our quarrel be to feed our people. Let our quarrel be to pull our people out of poverty.
“We want a Nigeria where a child of nobody can be somebody without knowing anybody, that’s what we want. And we think all of us will work as a family.
“I assure you that we remain united in our rescue for our dear country, Nigeria.”
