President Bola Tinubu should prepare for a significant challenge from the opposition in the 2027 presidential election, as coalition leaders have adopted major resolutions aimed at unseating him. These resolutions were outlined in a communique released after the national summit of opposition political party leaders held in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, on Saturday, April 25. Prominent among the parties present were factions of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
One Candidate for 2027
The opposition leaders vowed to contest the 2027 presidential election regardless of what they described as a plot by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Tinubu to impose a one-party system on the country. According to the communique, the opposition plans to present a single candidate for the election to realize their goal of removing President Tinubu.
INEC Chairman Must Resign
The coalition called for the resignation of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, asserting that he cannot deliver free, fair, transparent, and credible elections in 2027. They maintained that Amupitan has shown bias and partisanship in favor of the ruling APC and should not conduct the 2027 general elections, as Nigerians have lost confidence in his ability to guarantee neutrality.
Amendment of the Electoral Act 2026
The opposition also demanded an immediate amendment of the 2026 Electoral Act, alleging that it threatens the sanctity and integrity of the 2027 elections. The communique stated: "The National Assembly should immediately review the Electoral Act, 2026 to remove all sections that threaten the sanctity and integrity of the elections and run counter to constitutional provisions."
Release of Detained Opposition Leaders
The leaders called for the immediate release of opposition figures currently in detention, allowing them to exercise their fundamental human right to participate in party primaries. Notably, Nasir El-Rufai, the immediate past governor of Kaduna state, is facing financial misappropriation charges with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and remains in custody.
The summit was convened by Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state. The full communique is available on X.
