Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The presidential candidates of the Accord Party, African Action Congress (AAC), and Social Democratic Party (SDP) have resolved to work together towards building a common democratic force ahead of the 2027 presidential election, in what could become a significant realignment of Nigeria's opposition politics. The three candidates — Dr Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim of Accord, Mr Omoyele Sowore of AAC, and Prince Adewole Adebayo of SDP — reached the resolution after a meeting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where they deliberated on Nigeria's democracy, economy, and security over the weekend.
The leaders expressed deep concern over what they described as the concentration of political power, the weakening of democratic institutions, and the shrinking space for genuine political competition, warning that Nigeria risks moving from a competitive multi-party democracy towards what they called "a coronation disguised as an election." They consequently resolved to align their political forces towards presenting Nigerians with a joint democratic alternative in 2027, with the proposed alliance seeking to mobilise workers, youths, women, professionals, entrepreneurs, civil society organisations, and Nigerians across ethnic, religious, regional, and political divides.
The three candidates emphasised that the larger national interest must take precedence over individual political ambitions, declaring that further consultations would determine the structure, modalities, and presidential candidate of the proposed alliance. They stressed that the alliance was not merely an anti-incumbency arrangement but an attempt to develop a credible governing alternative based on democratic accountability, economic justice, security, institutional reform, social inclusion, and national development.
The presidential candidates demanded an immediate review of cases involving Nigerians detained or imprisoned over political expression, self-determination advocacy, or the peaceful exercise of constitutionally protected rights. They specifically called for the immediate release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), whose agitation has centred on the political rights and aspirations of the Igbo people, and Bichia Maisango, whom they identified as an advocate of Hausa Zallah cultural rights. They also called for an end to what they described as the legal and political persecution of Omoyele Sowore over his political activities. While making these demands, the leaders stressed that their position did not necessarily amount to an endorsement of the views or methods of the individuals concerned. "Democratic societies must accommodate dissent and peaceful disagreement," they said.
The three candidates called on the international community, democratic governments, regional institutions, and international democracy and human-rights organisations to closely monitor Nigeria's democratic trajectory. They expressed concern over alleged attempts by individuals within the security architecture, electoral institutions, judiciary, legislature, and executive to weaken opposition parties, manipulate public institutions, and frustrate genuine political competition. While rejecting foreign interference in Nigeria's sovereign affairs, they called for accountability where individuals abuse public office or institutional authority to undermine constitutional democracy. They urged international partners to document credible evidence of democratic reversals and consider targeted sanctions, including visa restrictions and other lawful measures, against individuals credibly established to have participated in such activities. "No individual, political party, security agency, electoral official or institution is bigger than the Nigerian Constitution," they declared.
The leaders also criticised the economic policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration, particularly fuel subsidy removal and currency devaluation, which they said had contributed to rising living costs, declining purchasing power, unemployment, and widespread economic hardship. They called for urgent economic reforms, including substantial salary reviews towards a genuine living wage, stronger domestic production, investment promotion, job creation, and measures to reduce inflation. On insecurity, they demanded a proactive national security strategy built around intelligence, technology, adequately equipped security forces, community cooperation, economic opportunity, and effective prosecution. They rejected what they described as appeasement, selective enforcement, and political complicity that enables violent groups to operate with impunity.
Meanwhile, the Movement for Democratic Renewal (MDR) for the South-South and South-East zones was launched on Saturday in Port Harcourt, with speakers calling for unity of purpose to rescue the country. The MDR is co-chaired by Dr Gbenga Hashim and the Nigeria Labour Congress President, Comrade Joe Ajaero. Hashim declared that Nigeria had always been a great country but that recent leaders had conspired to make it small. "Today, industrialisation has gone out of Nigeria. But we must rescue our democracy. Any democracy that abandons the welfare of the workers is a mirage," he said.
Prince Adebayo Adewole, presidential candidate of the SDP, urged Nigerians to join the process, stressing that the 2027 election must provide a genuine choice for voters. "The 2027 election must be a genuine contest over Nigeria's future, rather than a predetermined political coronation. Nigeria belongs to its people. Political power belongs to the people. The ballot belongs to the people," they declared. The three candidates pledged to defend Nigeria's multi-party system and reject political monopolisation, affirming their commitment to the constitutional right of Nigerians to form political parties, contest elections, disagree with government, and offer alternative programmes without intimidation.
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