Former presidential spokesman Laolu Akande has stated that the recent opposition summit held in Ibadan, Oyo State, was a bold political initiative but missed a historic opportunity to reinforce Nigeria's rotational presidency principle ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking on a live program, Akande noted that the gathering of opposition leaders in Ibadan was a positive step for Nigeria's democracy, as it helped preserve political plurality and offered voters meaningful electoral choices.
He said, "I think the idea of having the gladiators in the opposition coming together to construct a united platform is good for our country, regardless of the other intrigues and contradictions. It's good to say that Nigerians deserve a choice in the elections. We don't want a one-party state, and I don't think we will go to one party anyway."
However, Akande argued that the coalition stopped short of making a defining political statement by openly affirming the rotational presidency arrangement. He believed the summit should have gone beyond coalition politics to declare support for the continuation of power in Southern Nigeria, in line with an emerging national consensus.
"I think they lost the opportunity to actually do what should have taken the matter a little bit forward — to say that we believe the rotational principle of the presidency at this time has become a national consensus," Akande said.
He further argued that a clear commitment to power rotation would help reduce ethnic tensions often associated with presidential contests and strengthen national unity.
Akande commended Governor Seyi Makinde for convening and hosting the summit, describing the move as courageous and politically strategic. Despite this praise, he maintained that the summit missed a crucial chance to send a stronger political signal by endorsing a southern presidential candidate to challenge President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
