By Ghazali Ibrahim
Leaders of Nigeria’s opposition parties have agreed to field a single presidential candidate to challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general election, following a high-level summit held in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The decision was reached at the National Summit of Opposition Political Leaders, which took place at the Banquet Hall of the Oyo State Government House.
The gathering, themed “Safeguarding Nigeria’s Democracy: A National Dialogue,” brought together prominent political figures across party lines, including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Seyi Makinde.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting now referred to as the “Ibadan Declaration”, participants resolved to “work towards fielding one presidential candidate” that would be jointly agreed upon by all opposition parties.
The leaders said the move was necessary to avoid vote fragmentation and strengthen their chances against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
They also raised concerns about what they described as growing threats to Nigeria’s democracy and warned against any attempt to turn the country into a one-party state.
Beyond the consensus candidate plan, discussions at the summit also focused on key national issues, including the need for credible elections, insecurity, and economic reforms aimed at improving productivity.
Additionally, some opposition figures questioned the neutrality of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), warning that perceived bias could undermine the credibility of the 2027 polls.
The Ibadan meeting is seen as a significant step in ongoing efforts to unify Nigeria’s fragmented opposition ahead of the next election cycle, though analysts say sustaining cohesion among diverse political interests will remain a major challenge.
