Opposition leaders unite to field single candidate against Tinubu in 2027
Nigeria’s major opposition parties have announced a strategic alliance aimed at presenting a single presidential candidate to challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The resolution was reached on Saturday during a high-profile “National Summit of Opposition Political Leaders” held at the Banquet Hall of the Oyo State Government House in Ibadan. The summit, hosted by Governor Seyi Makinde, was themed “That We May Work Together for a United Opposition to Sustain Our Democracy.”
The gathering brought together an array of political heavyweights from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and various other political organizations. Notable, however, was the absence of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who had been scheduled to chair the event.
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Speaking on behalf of the coalition, the factional National Chairman of the PDP, Kabiru Tanimu-Turaki, declared that the opposition is determined to overcome what he termed “onslaughts and machinations” allegedly designed by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to position President Tinubu as the sole candidate for the 2027 cycle.
“Despite the onslaughts and machinations of the ruling party, the APC, to ensure that President Bola Tinubu emerges as the sole presidential candidate in 2027, we shall field candidates and contest the 2027 presidential and other elections,” Turaki stated.
He further confirmed the coalition’s primary strategy: “We shall work towards fielding one presidential candidate for the 2027 elections. We shall be agreed and supported by all participating opposition parties to rescue our nation and our long-suffering masses.”
Ultimatum for INEC leadership
The summit also served as a platform for a scathing critique of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The opposition leaders collectively demanded the immediate resignation of the INEC chairman, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan.
The leaders accused the chairman of overt bias in favor of the ruling APC, arguing that his continued tenure jeopardizes the integrity of the upcoming electoral process.
“INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, having shown bias and open partisanship in favour of the ruling APC, should not conduct the 2027 general election,” the resolution stated. “His continued stay in office is vexatious and capable of triggering widespread crises in our nation.”
The summit was attended by a powerhouse of Nigerian political figures, signaling the gravity of the alliance. Among those present were former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; former governors Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano), Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), Rauf Aregbesola (Osun), Olagunsoye Oyinlola (Osun), Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara), and Babangida Aliyu (Niger).
Other political stakeholders include Professor Jerry Gana, Professor Pat Utomi, Aisha Yesufu, and Yunusa Tanko.
The meeting underscores a growing sense of urgency within the opposition to consolidate its base as the 2027 election cycle begins to take shape. Whether this coalition can maintain cohesion until 2027 remains a subject of intense speculation in Nigeria’s volatile political climate.
