Opposition political parties in Nigeria have taken a historic step toward unseating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general elections, agreeing to present a single presidential candidate under a unified front.
This resolution formed the centerpiece of the “Ibadan Declaration,” a communiqué issued at the end of the National Summit of opposition parties held on Saturday in Ibadan, Oyo State.
In the strongly worded declaration, the opposition bloc accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of undermining Nigeria’s democracy and attempting to foist a one-party system on the country.
The parties collectively resolved to resist such moves and safeguard the nation’s multi-party democratic structure.
A major highlight of the summit was the agreement to field a consensus presidential candidate for the 2027 election, a strategy the opposition believes will consolidate its strength and improve its chances of electoral victory.
The parties also reaffirmed their determination to participate fully in the 2027 presidential and other general elections, despite what they described as political intimidation and manipulation by the ruling party.
The communiqué further raised serious concerns about the credibility of the electoral process, calling for the removal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan.
The opposition alleged that his leadership has shown bias in favour of the APC, leading to a loss of public confidence in the commission’s ability to conduct free, fair, and transparent elections.
In addition, the parties called on the National Assembly to urgently review the Electoral Act, 2026, to expunge provisions they claim threaten the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral system and contradict constitutional principles.
They also rejected the current timetable released by INEC, describing it as restrictive and deliberately designed to disadvantage opposition parties, and demanded an extension of the deadline for party primaries until the end of July 2026.
On issues of civil liberties, the opposition demanded the immediate release of politicians allegedly detained or harassed over bailable offences, stressing the need to uphold fundamental rights and ensure inclusive political participation across the country.
The summit also commended Nigerians for their resilience and unwavering commitment to democratic values, noting the growing public support for opposition efforts to “rescue” the nation from what they termed state capture.
Participants expressed appreciation to the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, and the people of the state for hosting what they described as a landmark and timely gathering.
The “Ibadan Declaration” is widely seen as a significant political development ahead of the 2027 elections, signaling a potential realignment of opposition forces and setting the stage for a fierce electoral contest that could redefine Nigeria’s political landscape.
