The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has endorsed the presidential ambition of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) candidate, Seyi Makinde, declaring that the Oyo State governor is qualified to lead Nigeria.

Obi spoke on Monday at the inauguration of Makinde’s presidential campaign office in Abuja, where he called for issue-based politics and a united effort to rescue the country from its current economic and social challenges.

The former Anambra State governor, who described Makinde as his “dear brother,” said political differences should not prevent politicians from working together for the progress of Nigeria.

“We want a Nigeria of unity, inclusion; we have a candidate who is contesting for President today, my dear brother Makinde. Is he qualified to be President? Yes, he is qualified,” Obi said.

He stressed that his appearance at the event was not an indication of desperation but a demonstration of solidarity and a call for Nigerians to freely choose their preferred leaders in the 2027 election.

According to him, the priority of political leaders should be addressing poverty, hunger and other challenges confronting Nigerians rather than engaging in endless political disputes.

“What we are doing today, for us is not about desperation but we want Nigerians to make their choice. All of us should come together to build a new Nigeria. We can’t continue the way we are going, our people are hungry and poor,” he said.

Obi further pledged to work with whoever emerges victorious in the 2027 presidential election, provided the process is free, fair and credible.

“Whoever wins genuinely from a free, fair, and credible election, we will all work together to save this country from collapse,” he added.

The NDC candidate also advocated a departure from what he described as the politics of quarrels and disagreements, urging politicians to unite around the common objective of improving the lives of Nigerians.

“That’s why I’m here to show solidarity and assure you that we are changing the system, we don’t want politics of quarrel, politics of disagreement. Let our quarrel be to feed our people,” Obi said.

He said his vision was for a Nigeria where citizens could attain their aspirations irrespective of their background or connections.

“We want a Nigeria where the child of nobody can be somebody without knowing anybody,” he added.

Meanwhile, Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, urged Nigerians and rival presidential candidates not to underestimate Makinde ahead of the 2027 election.

Mohammed, who also spoke at the inauguration of the campaign office, said the APM was positioning itself as an alternative political platform capable of resetting the country.

He described Makinde as one of the country’s finest human resources, citing his record as governor of Oyo State as evidence of his administrative competence.

“Whoever disregard us is at his own peril, we are here to reset Nigeria and we are bringing in one of the best human capitals that Nigeria has ever produced at the sub-national and national level, that is Makinde,” Mohammed said.

He urged Nigerians not to underrate the APM candidate, describing him as a mobiliser, resource manager and an accomplished engineer.

“I don’t want Nigerians to underrate him, especially the candidates and they would see the wonders of the world,” he said.

Mohammed also praised Makinde’s administration in Oyo State, particularly its efforts in infrastructure and urban renewal.

He argued that Makinde had achieved significant development despite limited resources, particularly in areas he said had suffered neglect and abandonment under previous administrations.

“Somebody who used little resources and did so much. Where there was abject neglect and abandonment in Oyo State, he brought urban renewal to a level that nobody has ever done it,” he added.