Opposition political parties have resolved to field one presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 general election to prevent Nigeria from becoming a one-party state.
This was stated in a communiqué issued at the end of a one-day National Summit of Opposition Political Party Leaders, held on Saturday at the Banquet Hall of the Oyo Government House, Ibadan.
The communiqué was jointly signed by the chairmen of all the participating opposition parties.
The summit was themed “That We May Work Together For A United Opposition To Sustain Our Democracy.”
The participating opposition parties stated that they arrived at the decision after an extensive deliberation on the collective threats and existential challenges facing the country under the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration.
It alleged APC of stranglehold, oppressive and anti-democratic tendencies, stating this led to the need for urgent, collective action to rescue Nigeria and the destiny of Nigerians.
The opposition political parties stated in the communiqué, tagged the Ibadan Declaration, its resolve to resist all alleged machinations by the APC to foist a one-party state on Nigeria and fight for the survival of multi-party democracy in our country.
The opposition political parties further resolved that:
“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.
“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 INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, having shown bias and partisanship in favour of the ruling APC, should not conduct the 2027 general elections.
“Nigerians across board have lost confidence in him and his capacity to guarantee the required neutrality to deliver free, fair, transparent and credible elections.
“His continuous stay in office is vexatious and capable of triggering wide spread crisis in our nation.
“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.
“All leading politicians that are being detained or harassed on bailable offfences be released with immediate effect and allowed to exercise their fundamental rights of participation and inclusivity as Nigerians.
“We consider the recent guidelines released by the INEC as obstacles, deliberately engineered to impose conditions and deadlines on the opposition parties.
“We therefore demand that INEC extends the deadline for primaries till the end of July, 2026.”
The Summit however commended Nigerians for their resilience and readiness to work with opposition parties to free Nigeria from state capture.
The National summit of Opposition Political Parties also thanked the Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde and the people of Oyo State for hosting the epochal event.
The national chairmen of the opposition political parties who were signatories to the summit included Senator David Mark (ADC); Hakeem Baba-Ahmed (PRP); Ajuji Ahmed (NNPP); Cleopas Moses (NDC); Senator Nenadi Usman (LP); Uche Nnadi (APP); Mgbudem Maxwell (ACCORD).
Others included Yusuf Dantalle (APM Chairman); Adekunle Omoaje (AA Chairman); Samuel Memeh (DLA Chairman); Abdulrahman Abubakar (YP Chairman); Yabagi Sani (ADP Chairman) and Dan Nwanyawu (ZLP Chairman).
Prominent politicians present at the summit included the host, Governor ‘Seyi Makinde; former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; former governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal; a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed;
Muhammed Hayatayu-Deen; Professor Jerry Gana; Mr Mike Igini; Dr Kashim Ibrahim Imam; Dr Kabir Adamu; Professor Pat Utomi; Chief John Oyegun; Activist Aisha Yesufu; Mrs Onikepo Oshodi; Chief Sunday Solarin; Chief Yemi Soluade; Barrister Silas Onu;
Former Chairman of FERMA, Engineer Jide Adeniyi; Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi; ADC National Chairman, Senator David Mark; PDP National Chairman, Taminu Kabir Turaki; Mr Peter Obi; Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi; Chief Victor Umeh; Chief Ben Obi;
Professor Pat Utomi; Chief Ralph Nwosu; Rabiu Musa Kwakwanso; Sarah Ibrahim; Dr Babangida Aliyu; Liyel Imoke; Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; Abdulfatai Ahmed; Ex-Rep Nnenna Ukeje; Senator Ireti Kingibe; Mr Solomon Dalung, among others.
