The All Progressives Congress has taken a swipe at former Vice President Atiku Abubakar after a photo from the Ibadan opposition summit showed him appearing to doze off during the meeting. APC National Secretary Ajibola Basiru shared the image on his X account, captioning it, "And the opposition leader slept at the all-important opposition summit."
Summit Aims for Unity
The gathering in Ibadan brought together key opposition figures, including Peter Obi and Rotimi Amaechi, to discuss forming a united front ahead of the 2027 general elections. Leaders at the meeting agreed in principle to present a single presidential candidate to challenge the ruling APC.
Internal Divisions Emerge
Despite the show of unity, internal divisions have surfaced. Some factions within major opposition parties have rejected the summit and distanced themselves from its resolutions. Disagreements over representation and legitimacy continue to complicate efforts to build a broad coalition.
APC Dismisses Opposition Threat
Basiru responded to claims that the ruling party was uneasy about the emerging alliance, dismissing such suggestions. He used the photo of Atiku to reinforce his argument that the opposition lacks cohesion and urgency. The APC chieftain stated that the opposition's efforts are not a cause for concern.
Communique Outlines Commitments
A communiqué issued after the summit outlined a shared commitment to field a single candidate in 2027. Signatories said the move was necessary to strengthen multiparty democracy and counter what they described as growing dominance by the ruling party. Participants also raised concerns about electoral processes and called for reforms to improve transparency.
Makinde Warns of One-Party State
Governor Seyi Makinde, who hosted the summit, warned that Nigeria risks drifting toward a one-party system if opposition groups fail to organize effectively. He emphasized that democracy depends on credible alternatives and active competition. Other speakers echoed similar concerns, urging political actors to set aside personal ambition for collective goals.
Analysts Skeptical
Analysts note that agreeing on a single candidate may prove difficult given the range of interests involved. The incident involving Atiku has added an unexpected distraction to these discussions. While the opposition focuses on strategy, the ruling party appears ready to capitalize on any missteps.
The Labour Party also mocked Peter Obi's defection speech after he left the party to join the African Democratic Congress. The LP leadership described Obi's speech as "lacklustre" and questioned what new message he intends to sell to Nigerians ahead of the 2027 elections.
