Serah Ibrahim backs Seyi Makinde’s presidential bid, unveiling his Reset Agenda manifesto and drawing attention to a shift from her past Obi activism
ABUJA, Nigeria, 5 November 2026: Serah Ibrahim, a prominent grassroots mobiliser associated with the Obidient Movement, has publicly backed Oyo State Governor and Allied Peoples Movement (APM) presidential candidate Seyi Makinde for the 2027 election, introducing him at the unveiling of his manifesto in Abuja on Wednesday.
Ibrahim, who previously mobilised support for former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, described Makinde as the “most outstanding Nigerian on the ballot” during the event.
Her appearance alongside Makinde has drawn attention because of her longstanding association with Obi and the Obidient Movement, which grew into a major grassroots support network during the 2023 presidential campaign.
In a post on her X account, Ibrahim confirmed that she had contributed to developing Makinde’s policy manifesto, known as the Reset Nigeria Agenda, and encouraged Nigerians to review its proposals.
“An honour to have been part of the process of developing the Policy Manifesto of His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde,” she wrote, describing the work as both a privilege and a responsibility.
The manifesto sets out four central policy areas: the economy, security, education and governance. Makinde presented the document in Abuja as the policy framework for his 2027 presidential campaign.
Makinde said his proposed administration would focus on improving living conditions and making government more responsive to citizens.
“Government should make life easier for people. Nigeria needs a leadership that works,” he said at the unveiling, according to Voice of Nigeria.
The Reset Nigeria Agenda proposes reducing structural costs in the economy, strengthening intelligence and security coordination, improving learning outcomes and reforming the country’s governance system. The campaign says the manifesto draws on consultations held across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
Ibrahim’s public backing comes amid earlier speculation about her relationship with Obi. In October, Obi addressed questions about an alleged disagreement between them, describing her as his daughter and saying he cared for those around him.
“No, Serah is my daughter. How will a father fight with his daughter? Everybody you see around me are my children, and I love and care for all of them,” Obi said in a video reported by Nigerian media.
Ibrahim’s endorsement of Makinde does not, by itself, establish that she has formally left the Obidient Movement. Her public participation in the APM event and manifesto development, however, signals support for Makinde’s presidential campaign.
Makinde, who is seeking the presidency under the APM, is campaigning alongside vice-presidential candidate Lawal Daura. The party has positioned its Reset Nigeria Agenda as a reform platform focused on economic opportunity, security, education and governance ahead of the 2027 election.
Ibrahim’s move adds another notable development to the shifting political alignments ahead of the election, as figures who played visible roles in the 2023 campaign begin engaging with different candidates and platforms.
