Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A historic political realignment took shape in Ibadan on Saturday, April 25, 2026, as a coalition of opposition parties resolved to field a single, consensus presidential candidate to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections. The resolution, dubbed the ‘Ibadan Declaration’, was the central focus of a national summit of opposition political parties hosted by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde. The summit had in attendance the who-is-who of Nigerian politics, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Rotimi Amaechi, Peter Obi and Rauf Aregbesola.
The parties involved in the coalition include the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by David Mark, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faction chaired by Kabiru Turaki, and the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP). According to reports, up to 14 opposition parties eventually signed on to the declaration, which outlined a coordinated strategy to unseat President Bola Tinubu. The decision, which was adopted unanimously, marks a major shift in the country’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 elections.
Senator David Mark, the national chairman of the ADC and a former Senate President, declared that the coalition would field a single candidate to confront the APC. He described the 2027 election as a battle for the very soul of Nigeria, insisting that the opposition intends to reclaim the country from what he termed a failing administration. He revealed that the summit was originally conceived to forge a common front capable of challenging the APC, adding that the opposition cannot afford to go into the election divided. Mark also used the platform to criticise the recent reshuffling of the federal cabinet, describing the move as a desperate attempt to fix a sinking ship. “Rejigging the cabinet at this time is an admission of failure. You don’t change a winning team; you only scramble for new hands when things aren’t working,” he said.
The coalition demanded that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) extend the deadline for party primaries to the end of July 2026 to allow sufficient time for opposition parties to conduct a credible and transparent process for selecting their sole candidate. The parties also issued a call for INEC chairman Professor Joash Amupitan to resign, accusing him of bias in favour of the APC. The communiqué from the summit stated that the current electoral umpire lacks the confidence of the opposition and cannot be trusted to oversee a free and fair election.
Host governor Seyi Makinde urged the opposition to remain united and focused, while a new PDP national chairman, Kabiru Turaki, pledged that the party would be fully committed to the coalition’s goal of unseating President Tinubu. The NNPP also confirmed its participation, with the party reiterating its earlier position that it would enter into a strategic alliance with the ADC for the presidential election.
While the coalition has not yet named its consensus candidate, political analysts note that the move to present a single candidate significantly changes the dynamics of the 2027 election. The opposition, which has been fragmented in recent years, appears determined to avoid a repeat of the 2023 election where votes were split among multiple candidates and the APC retained the presidency with a plurality of the vote. The success of the ‘Ibadan Declaration’ will depend on the ability of the coalition partners to overcome their internal rivalries and settle on a candidate that is acceptable to all. For now, the opposition has declared its intention to fight as one, and the battle lines for 2027 have been drawn.
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