Opposition parties in Nigeria have resolved to present a single presidential candidate in the 2027 general elections, aiming to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and avert what they describe as a slide towards a one-party state. This decision was formalized in a communiqué issued at the end of a national summit held in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Saturday.
The Ibadan Declaration
The gathering adopted the “Ibadan Declaration,” pledging collective action to “rescue” the nation from what they termed the “oppressive and anti-democratic” grip of the APC. The declaration stated: “Despite the onslaughts and manoeuvrings of the ruling party, the APC, to impose President Bola Tinubu as the sole presidential candidate in 2027, we shall field candidates and contest the 2027 presidential and other elections.” The parties committed to “work towards fielding one presidential candidate for the 2027 elections, which shall be agreed and supported by all participating opposition parties.”
Key Figures in Attendance
The summit was hosted by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde at the Government House Banquet Hall. Notable attendees included former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, former Anambra Governor Peter Obi, former Kano Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, and former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo was reported to have chaired the gathering.
Accusations Against the APC
Participants accused the APC of machinations aimed at establishing one-party dominance and vowed to resist such attempts while fighting for the survival of multi-party democracy. The declaration also targeted the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), demanding that its chairman, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, should not preside over the 2027 polls. It stated: “Having shown bias and partisanship in favour of the ruling APC, Nigerians across the board have lost confidence in him and his capacity to guarantee the required neutrality.” The opposition warned that his continued stay in office could trigger widespread crisis.
Demands for Electoral Reforms
The opposition called on the National Assembly to urgently review the Electoral Act 2026 to remove provisions they believe threaten the integrity of elections and contradict constitutional requirements. They further demanded the immediate release of leading politicians detained or harassed over bailable offences, and urged INEC to extend the deadline for party primaries until the end of July 2026, describing recent guidelines as deliberate obstacles.
Call for Public Collaboration
The communiqué commended ordinary Nigerians for their resilience and expressed readiness to collaborate with the public to free the country from what it called “state capture.” It also thanked Governor Makinde and the people of Oyo State for hosting the event.
