Fourteen opposition political parties have resolved to field a single consensus presidential candidate to challenge President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.
The resolution was reached at a national summit held on Saturday at the Banquet Hall of Agodi Government House, Ibadan, Oyo State, signalling the birth of a mega-coalition.
The summit was hosted by Governor Seyi Makinde and attended by prominent figures including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former governors Peter Obi, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Rotimi Amaechi, Aminu Tambuwal, and David Mark.
Reading the nine-point communiqué, dubbed the “Ibadan Declaration”, PDP National Chairman Taminu Turaki (SAN) said the coalition was an existential necessity.
“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 parties included PDP, Labour Party, NNPP, ADC, PRP, YPP, Accord, ADP, APP, NDC, APM, AA, DLA, and ZLP.
The bloc vowed to resist what they described as APC’s manoeuvres to position Tinubu as the sole candidate, warning against the emergence of a one-party state.
Governor Makinde told the gathering: “Democracy is not a one-party show. This is not a gang-up against one man; it is a shield for the survival of a system that allows Nigeria to remain open and accountable.”
INEC Leadership And Electoral Demands
The summit passed a vote of no confidence in INEC Chairman Prof Joash Amupitan, accusing him of partisanship. The declaration warned that his continued stay in office could trigger a national crisis.
The coalition demanded his replacement with a neutral figure to guarantee credibility. It also urged the National Assembly to strip the Electoral Act 2026 of clauses allegedly undermining election integrity.
Opposition leaders criticised recent INEC guidelines as deliberate obstacles and demanded an extension of party primaries to July 2026.
They also called for the release of politicians allegedly detained on bailable offences, describing their detention as a violation of democratic rights.
ADC National Chairman David Mark added: “Recent changes within the economic management team are themselves a tacit admission of failure. Reshuffling the cabinet at this late hour cannot save them from the verdict of the people.”
He concluded: “At a defining moment in our history, when Nigeria stood at the edge of uncertainty, we did not falter. We did not allow personal ambition to override the desire of Nigerians for a better life.”
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