Nigeria’s major opposition parties have agreed to present a unified presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections in a move aimed at unseating the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The resolution was reached at a national summit held on Saturday in Ibadan, Oyo State, where party leaders adopted what they termed the “Ibadan Declaration” as a framework for political collaboration ahead of the polls.
Parties represented at the meeting included the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Labour Party (LP), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), and several others.
Reading the communiqué on behalf of the coalition, PDP National Chairman, Taminu Turaki (SAN), said the decision to adopt a joint candidate was driven by the need to safeguard Nigeria’s democratic space.
“We shall work towards fielding one presidential candidate for the 2027 elections, which shall be agreed and supported by all participating opposition parties to rescue our nation and her long-suffering masses,” the communiqué stated.
The opposition bloc said the alliance was necessary to prevent what it described as attempts to entrench a one-party system, alleging that the ruling party was positioning President Bola Tinubu as a sole dominant contender.
The summit also passed a vote of no confidence in the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, accusing him of partisanship and calling for his replacement.
Participants warned that his continued leadership could undermine the credibility of the electoral process and potentially trigger a national crisis.
In addition, the coalition urged the National Assembly to review provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, which it claimed could weaken electoral integrity.
It also called for an extension of the timeline for party primaries to the end of July 2026.
The communiqué further demanded the release of political figures allegedly detained over bailable offences, describing such actions as violations of fundamental rights.
The opposition leaders reaffirmed their commitment to multiparty democracy and pledged to resist any actions that could stifle political competition.
They also commended Nigerians for their resilience and expressed appreciation to Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, for hosting the summit, which they described as a significant step toward shaping the 2027 electoral landscape.
