Opposition political leaders have agreed to unite ahead of the 2027 general elections by presenting a single presidential candidate to challenge President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The resolution was reached during a National Summit of Opposition Political Leaders held on Saturday in Ibadan, Oyo State, where stakeholders deliberated on the country’s political direction and democratic health.
The gathering, themed “Safeguarding Nigeria’s Democracy: A National Dialogue,” concluded with a joint communiqué titled the Ibadan Declaration.
Participants stressed that adopting a consensus candidate would help prevent vote splitting and improve the opposition’s chances at the polls.
They also raised concerns about what they described as growing pressure on Nigeria’s democratic system, calling for urgent collective efforts to protect it.
In his welcome address, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde cautioned against the dominance of a single political party, warning that it could weaken democratic competition and pluralism.
He also recalled the ‘wet e’ era in Ibadan, noting that such a period must not be repeated.
“Democracy without opposition is not democracy, it is a slow drift toward a one-party state,” he said.
Speaking at the summit, factional National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Taminu Turaki, described the coalition move as both strategic and necessary, pointing out that division has often undermined opposition success.
“A single stick can be broken easily, but a bundle of sticks is far more difficult to break,” he said, urging political actors to prioritise national interest over individual ambition.
Turaki added that the country is facing what he termed “progressive regression,” citing insecurity, economic hardship, and declining public confidence in democratic institutions.
“This is not a moment for silence or division; it is a moment for decisive action,” he said.
Former Senate President David Mark also emphasised the need for unity, describing the initiative as a “national rescue mission” and noting that no single opposition party could effectively challenge the current political structure alone.
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“We cannot confront the future as fragmented entities. This is the time to rewrite the story of coalition building in Nigeria,” Mark said.
In the communiqué released after the meeting, opposition parties reaffirmed their determination to contest the 2027 elections across all levels while rejecting any attempt to turn the country into a one-party system.
They also insisted that the elections must not become a one-candidate contest, stressing the importance of offering Nigerians credible alternatives.
The declaration further expressed concerns over the integrity of the electoral process, as the leaders passed a vote of no confidence in the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan. They accused him of bias and called for his removal from overseeing the 2027 polls.
Additionally, the summit urged the National Assembly to revisit controversial aspects of the Electoral Act 2026 and called for an extension of the deadline for party primaries to the end of July 2026.
Participants also demanded the release of political figures allegedly detained for bailable offences, highlighting the need to uphold inclusivity and fundamental rights.
Across various speeches, contributors at the summit underscored that Nigeria is at a critical point and called on leaders to take decisive steps to preserve democratic institutions.
The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment among opposition parties to strengthen collaboration, rebuild public confidence, and present a united front in the 2027 elections.
The Ibadan summit drew several prominent political figures from different parties, including the PDP and the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Attendees included former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, former Kano State governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, former Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola, former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi, political economist Pat Utomi, and elder statesman Jerry Gana, among others.