IBADAN, Nigeria – The Nigerian political landscape is buzzing with reports that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde have reached a private agreement to run on a joint ticket for the 2027 presidential election. This comes on the heels of the National Summit of Opposition Leaders held at the Oyo State Government House on April 25, 2026.
According to emerging reports and claims by political insiders, including former Governor Ayodele Fayose, the meeting in Ibadan served as the public launch for a deeper, more specific arrangement. Rumours suggest that after failed attempts to secure a consensus with Peter Obi or Rabiu Kwankwaso, Atiku has turned to Makinde as his preferred running mate. Under this plan, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) would serve as the operational platform, while Makinde’s faction of the PDP provides the primary political and financial muscle.
Critics have been quick to draw parallels between this move and the 2023 election cycle. Many argue that Atiku, who is reportedly unwilling to dig further into his own pockets for another run, is looking for a “financier” vice president. Makinde is already being dubbed “the new Okowa” by detractors who believe his primary role in the ticket would be to bankroll a campaign that Atiku himself may no longer fully believe in.
The Ibadan meeting itself has become a point of friction. While the summit officially brought together figures like Peter Obi, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and Rotimi Amaechi to discuss a “united front,” observers noted that the narrative coming from the Atiku camp focused almost exclusively on the former Vice President. This has led to accusations from rival factions that the summit was less about a broad coalition and more about solidifying Atiku’s control over the remaining opposition structures.
Governor Makinde has publicly denied any plans to defect or abandon the PDP, maintaining that his role in the Ibadan talks was strictly to facilitate a stronger democratic opposition. However, the optics of the meeting and the vocal claims from the Fayose-led faction suggest that a major realignment is already underway. As of late April 2026, the opposition remains deeply divided over whether to rally behind Atiku for a final time or push for a fresh face to lead the challenge against the APC.
