Ibadan Declaration: Opposition To Field a Single Presidential Candidate For 2027

There are indications that Nigeria’s ruling party, the All Progressives Congress , APC, may likely face an uphill task in the 2027 general elections as Leaders from the major opposition political parties have resolved to field a single presidential candidate to challenge President Bola Tinubu.

At the historic Ibadan gathering on Saturday, during a National Summit of Opposition Political Leaders, participants who gathered to fashion the way out of the current challenges facing the country, warned that the country’s democracy requires urgent collective action to safeguard it.

The Opposition Leaders explained tha the decision to rally behind a single candidate was driven by the need to avoid fragmentation of votes and strengthen the opposition’s chances at the polls.

Welcoming his guests to the summit, themed “Safeguarding Nigeria’s Democracy: A National Dialogue,” host governor, Seyi Makinde, noted with concern the steady erosion of democratic competition, cautioning that the concentration of political power under one party threatens pluralism.

While going down memory lane and reminding the ruling party of the ‘wet e’ era in Ibadan, Makinde warned: “Democracy without opposition is not democracy, it is a slow drift toward a one-party state.”

Demanding that the outcome of the summit be named the Ibadan declaration, factional National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Taminu Turaki, described the move as both strategic and necessary, warning that disunity has historically weakened opposition efforts.

Turaki maintained that Nigeria is currently experiencing what he termed “progressive regression,” citing worsening insecurity, economic challenges, and declining confidence in democratic institutions.

“This is not a moment for silence or division; it is a moment for decisive action,” he said.

Former Senate President, David Mark who pointed out that gathering is a “national rescue mission,” made it clear that no single opposition party could confront the current political structure alone.

“We cannot confront the future as fragmented entities. This is the time to rewrite the story of coalition building in Nigeria,” Mark said.

In a joint communiqué known as the Ibadan Declaration, issued at the end of the summit, opposition parties reaffirmed their commitment to contest the 2027 elections at all levels, rejecting what they described as attempts to impose a one-party state.

They also resolved to resist any move to make the election a one-candidate race, insisting that Nigerians must be presented with credible alternatives.

Beyond the consensus candidacy plan, the declaration raised concerns over the credibility of the electoral process.

They passed a vote of no confidence in the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan.

The opposition leaders alleged bias and called for his removal from overseeing the 2027 elections.

The summit further urged the National Assembly to review contentious provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, and demanded an extension of deadlines for party primaries to the end of July 2026.

Participants also called for the release of political actors allegedly detained on bailable offences, stressing the need for inclusivity and respect for fundamental rights.

Speakers at the summit, in their separate remarks, repeatedly stressed that Nigeria stands at a critical juncture, urging leaders to act decisively to preserve democratic institutions.

The summit ended with the declaration of a shared commitment among opposition parties to deepen collaboration, rebuild public trust, and present a united challenge in 2027.

There are indications that Nigeria’s ruling party, the All Progressives Congress , APC, may likely face an uphill task in the 2027 general elections as Leaders from the major opposition political parties have resolved to field a single presidential candidate to challenge President Bola Tinubu.

At the historic Ibadan gathering on Saturday, during a National Summit of Opposition Political Leaders, participants who gathered to fashion the way out of the current challenges facing the country, warned that the country’s democracy requires urgent collective action to safeguard it.

The Opposition Leaders explained tha the decision to rally behind a single candidate was driven by the need to avoid fragmentation of votes and strengthen the opposition’s chances at the polls.

Welcoming his guests to the summit, themed “Safeguarding Nigeria’s Democracy: A National Dialogue,” host governor, Seyi Makinde, noted with concern the steady erosion of democratic competition, cautioning that the concentration of political power under one party threatens pluralism.

While going down memory lane and reminding the ruling party of the ‘wet e’ era in Ibadan, Makinde warned: “Democracy without opposition is not democracy, it is a slow drift toward a one-party state.”

Demanding that the outcome of the summit be named the Ibadan declaration, factional National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Taminu Turaki, described the move as both strategic and necessary, warning that disunity has historically weakened opposition efforts.

Turaki maintained that Nigeria is currently experiencing what he termed “progressive regression,” citing worsening insecurity, economic challenges, and declining confidence in democratic institutions.

“This is not a moment for silence or division; it is a moment for decisive action,” he said.

Former Senate President, David Mark who pointed out that gathering is a “national rescue mission,” made it clear that no single opposition party could confront the current political structure alone.

“We cannot confront the future as fragmented entities. This is the time to rewrite the story of coalition building in Nigeria,” Mark said.

In a joint communiqué known as the Ibadan Declaration, issued at the end of the summit, opposition parties reaffirmed their commitment to contest the 2027 elections at all levels, rejecting what they described as attempts to impose a one-party state.

They also resolved to resist any move to make the election a one-candidate race, insisting that Nigerians must be presented with credible alternatives.

While raising concerns over the credibility of the electoral process, the Ibadan declaration passed a vote of no confidence on the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan and demanded his immediate removal.

The summit further called on the National Assembly to review contentious provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, and demanded an extension of deadlines for party primaries to the end of July 2026.

Participants also called for the release of political actors allegedly detained on bailable offences, stressing the need for inclusivity and respect for fundamental rights.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, former Kano State governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, former Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola, former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi, political economist Pat Utomi, and elder statesman Jerry Gana, were among other notable political leaders that Grace the event. Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, former Kano State governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, former Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola, former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi, former Niger State Governor, Babangida Aliyu, political economist Pat Utomi, and elder statesman Jerry Gana, were among other notable political leaders that graced the event.