By Myke Uzendu
Opposition political parties in Nigeria have resolved to field a single presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections, in a move aimed at strengthening their chances against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The decision was part of a communiqué issued at the end of a National Summit of opposition parties held on Saturday in Ibadan, Oyo State, where party leaders and stakeholders deliberated on what they described as “existential threats” facing the country.
Reading from the communiqué, the opposition leaders said they would “work towards fielding one Presidential Candidate for the 2027 elections, which shall be agreed and supported by all participating opposition parties.”
They also vowed to resist any attempt to impose a one-party state on Nigeria, insisting that “we shall resist all machinations by the APC to foist a one-party State on Nigeria and fight for the survival of multi-party democracy.”
The summit further expressed concerns over the credibility of the electoral process, calling on the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, to step aside.
According to the communiqué, the INEC chairman “having shown bias and partisanship in favour of the ruling APC, should not conduct the 2027 general elections,” warning that his continued stay “is vexatious and capable of triggering widespread crisis.”
The opposition parties also demanded an immediate review of the Electoral Act 2026 by the National Assembly to remove provisions they believe threaten the integrity of elections.
In addition, they called for an extension of deadlines for party primaries to July, alleging that recent guidelines issued by INEC were designed to constrain opposition participation.
Addressing participants at the summit, the National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator David Mark, described the gathering as a “national rescue mission.”
“Our gathering here today is an urgent response to our nation’s call to patriotic duty,” he said, adding that Nigeria is facing unprecedented insecurity and economic hardship.
Citing alarming statistics, Mark noted that “Nigeria recorded more than 12,000 conflict-related deaths in 2025 alone,” stressing that the country is “now ranked fourth in the global terrorism index.”
He accused the APC-led government of indifference, saying, “the government carries on with a shocking indifference as if nothing is wrong, while Nigerians continue to suffer.”
Mark also warned against division within opposition ranks, emphasizing that unity was critical to success.
“No single opposition political party, no matter how strong, can confront a system so entrenched,” he said. “We must be united to salvage our nation.”
The summit concluded with a call for the release of political actors allegedly detained on bailable offences and urged Nigerians to support efforts to “rescue the nation from state capture.”
Leaders of participating parties expressed optimism that a united opposition front would provide a credible alternative and restore confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process ahead of the 2027 elections.
Present at the summit were leaders from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) Action Democratic Party (ADP) and others.
Present at the event were former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former governor of Anambra State and Presidential candidate of Labour Party in 2023, Peter Obi, former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso; Prof. Pat Utomi, former governor of Ondo State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola former Minister of Interior Rauf Aregbesola who was also ormer Osun State, former Governor of Cross River State Liyel Imoke and Prof. Chidi Odinkalu.
Others included: Professor Jerry Gana, factional chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Taminu Turaki (SAN), Dr. Usman Bugaji, Dr. John Oyegun (former Edo State governor), former INEC national commissioner Mike Igini, Dr. Kabir Adam, among many others.
The summits was hosted by the Oyo State governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde who is of the PDP stock.
