At Ibadan Opposition Parties Summit, ADC, PDP Adopt Joint Presidential Candidate for 2027, Call for INEC Chairman, Amupitan's Removal

Leaders of opposition political parties across Nigeria on Saturday converged on Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, where they resolved to present a united front by fielding a single presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.

The resolution formed part of a communiqué issued at the end of the National Opposition Political Parties Summit held at the Banquet Hall of the Oyo State Government House.

The parties, after what they described as “extensive deliberations on the collective threats” facing the country, accused the ruling All Progressives Congress of attempting to foist a one-party state on Nigeria, vowing to resist such moves in defence of multi-party democracy.

According to the communique that was read by the factional national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Taminu Turaki SAN stated that, “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 opposition leaders also declared their intention to contest the 2027 elections despite what they described as “onslaughts and manoeuvrings” by the ruling party to weaken opposition structures.

In a major highlight of the communiqué, the parties rejected the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, alleging bias and partisanship in favour of the APC.

They said, “Having shown bias and partisanship, Nigerians have lost confidence in his capacity to guarantee free, fair, transparent and credible elections. His continuous stay in office is capable of triggering widespread crisis.”

The summit further called on the National Assembly to urgently review the Electoral Act 2026, particularly provisions they claimed threaten the integrity of the electoral process and contradict constitutional principles.

The parties also demanded an extension of the deadline for party primaries to the end of July 2026, arguing that recent guidelines issued by INEC were deliberately designed to disadvantage opposition parties.

They equally called for the immediate release of politicians allegedly detained or harassed over bailable offences, stressing the need to guarantee inclusivity and participation in the democratic process.

In his address, a former Senate President and National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, David Mark, described the gathering as a “national rescue mission,” urging opposition leaders to put aside personal ambitions in the interest of the country.

“The call to rescue Nigeria is not a mere opposition slogan. It is a task born out of necessity, compelled by the suffering of our people and driven by urgency,” he said.

Mark lamented the worsening insecurity across the country, noting that thousands of Nigerians had been killed or abducted in recent times, while accusing the Federal Government of failing in its primary responsibility of protecting lives and property.

“We are a nation constantly in mourning. Fear has taken the place of freedom, and uncertainty has replaced hope,” he added.

He further warned that democratic institutions were being weakened, stressing that the opposition must unite to confront what he described as an entrenched system determined to retain power.

“No single opposition party can confront this challenge alone. We must rise above narrow interests and work together to salvage our nation,” Mark stated.

In his welcome address, Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, cautioned against the growing dominance of a single political party, describing it as a threat to Nigeria’s democracy.

“Democracy is not defined by the success of one party. It is defined by the existence of real alternatives and the ability of citizens to choose,” Makinde said.

He added that the weakening of opposition parties could erode public confidence in democracy, warning that Nigeria must not drift into a one-party state.

“This is not about individual ambition. It is about the survival of a system that keeps Nigeria open, competitive, and accountable,” the governor stated.

Makinde also noted the historical significance of Ibadan as a centre of political dialogue, expressing hope that the summit would mark a turning point in efforts to strengthen democratic values in the country.