Leaders of Nigeria’s major opposition parties have agreed to work towards presenting a single presidential candidate for the 2027 general election, in a strategic move aimed at strengthening their chances against the ruling party.
The decision was reached on Saturday during a national summit held in Ibadan, Oyo State, and hosted by Governor Seyi Makinde at the Government House Banquet Hall.
The gathering brought together key figures from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), alongside other political groups.
Although former President Olusegun Obasanjo was scheduled to chair the summit, he was absent from the event.
Themed “That We May Work Together for a United Opposition to Sustain Our Democracy,” the summit was convened in response to mounting concerns over governance, security, and economic challenges facing the country.
Presenting the resolutions, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, a factional National Chairman of the PDP, announced that opposition parties had resolved to adopt a unified approach by fielding a single presidential candidate in 2027.
According to him, the coalition is determined to consolidate its strength despite what he described as efforts by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to position President Bola Tinubu as its sole candidate.
“We are committed to working together to present one presidential candidate for the 2027 elections,” Turaki stated, adding that the move is aimed at offering Nigerians a credible alternative and addressing the challenges facing the nation.
The opposition leaders also called for the resignation of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Ojo Amupitan, citing alleged bias in favour of the ruling party. They warned that his continued stay in office could erode public trust in the electoral process and heighten political tensions ahead of the polls.
Among prominent figures at the summit were former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Professor Jerry Gana, activist Aisha Yesufu, and Professor Pat Utomi.
Others in attendance included former governors Rauf Aregbesola, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Aminu Tambuwal, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Abdulfatah Ahmed, Rotimi Amaechi, and Babangida Aliyu, among others.
The development signals a renewed push by opposition forces to form a united front ahead of what is expected to be a highly contested 2027 election.
