Leaders of major opposition political parties in Nigeria, gathered at the National Opposition Summit in Ibadan, Oyo State, today announced a landmark agreement to field a single consensus presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.
The resolution forms part of the “Ibadan Declaration,” aimed at presenting a united front to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and offer Nigerians a credible alternative amid ongoing economic and security challenges.
Kabiru Tanimu-Turaki (SAN), factional National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who read the communiqué on behalf of participating opposition leaders, declared that the parties are determined to resist any attempts to turn Nigeria into a one-party state.
“Despite the onslaughts and machinations of the ruling party, the APC, to ensure that President Bola Tinubu emerges as the sole presidential candidate in 2027, we shall field candidates and contest the 2027 presidential and other elections,” Turaki stated.
He added: “Three, that we shall work towards fielding one presidential candidate for the 2027 elections. We shall be agreed and supported by all participating opposition parties to rescue our nation and our long-suffering masses.”l
The summit, which attracted prominent opposition figures including former Senate President David Mark, emphasized the need for unity, electoral reforms, and a collective effort to address what participants described as worsening national conditions under the current administration.
In a strongly worded resolution, the opposition leaders also called for the immediate resignation of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, citing alleged bias in favour of the ruling APC.
They argued that his continued leadership could erode public confidence in the electoral process and potentially trigger political tensions.
“INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, having shown bias and open partisanship in favour of the ruling APC, should not conduct the 2027 general election as Nigerians across the board have lost confidence in him and his capacity to guarantee the required neutrality to deliver a free, fair, transparent, and credible election,” the communiqué stated. “His continued stay in office is vexatious and capable of triggering widespread crises in our nation.”
The participating parties committed to further consultations and strategic collaboration in the coming months to select and support a joint presidential candidate capable of winning broad national support.
This development signals a significant shift towards opposition cohesion ahead of the 2027 polls, building on earlier discussions involving various opposition platforms.