By Ayomide Otitoju
Opposition political leaders in Nigeria have resolved to present a united front in the 2027 general elections, agreeing to field a single presidential candidate to challenge Bola Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress.
The decision was reached at the National Summit of Opposition Political Leaders held on Saturday in Ibadan, Oyo State, where stakeholders convened to address pressing national challenges and chart a path forward.
The summit, themed “Safeguarding Nigeria’s Democracy: A National Dialogue,” concluded with the adoption of a joint communiqué, the Ibadan Declaration, in which participants warned that Nigeria’s democracy is under increasing strain and requires urgent collective action.
Leaders at the meeting said the plan to adopt a consensus candidate was aimed at preventing vote fragmentation and strengthening the opposition’s chances at the polls.
In his welcome address, Governor Seyi Makinde cautioned against what he described as a gradual erosion of democratic competition, warning that the concentration of political power could undermine pluralism.
Similarly, a factional National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Taminu Turaki, described the move as strategic and necessary, urging political actors to prioritise national interest over personal ambition.
Former Senate President David Mark also characterised the development as a “national rescue mission,” stressing the need for unity among opposition parties.
In the communiqué, opposition leaders reaffirmed their commitment to contest the 2027 elections at all levels, while rejecting what they described as attempts to impose a one-party state. They also insisted that Nigerians must be presented with credible alternatives at the polls.
The summit further raised concerns over the credibility of the electoral process, passing a vote of no confidence in the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Joash Amupitan, and calling for his removal ahead of the elections.
Participants also urged the National Assembly to review contentious provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 and called for an extension of the deadline for party primaries to the end of July 2026.
They additionally called for the release of political actors allegedly detained on bailable offences, emphasising the need to uphold fundamental rights and inclusivity in the political process.
The summit attracted prominent political figures across party lines, including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Rauf Aregbesola, Rotimi Amaechi, political economist Pat Utomi, and elder statesman Jerry Gana, among others.
