Opposition political parties in Nigeria convened a high-stakes national summit in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Saturday, April 25, aimed at forging unity and strengthening collaboration ahead of the 2027 general elections. The summit, themed “That We May Work Together for a United Opposition to Sustain Our Democracy” and also referred to as “Safeguarding Nigeria’s Democracy: A National Dialogue,” brought together prominent political figures from major opposition parties including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).

The gathering, hosted by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde at the Banquet Hall of the Oyo State Government House and chaired by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, was described by organisers as a decisive move to confront Nigeria’s worsening socio-economic and security challenges. Attendees included former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President David Mark, former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, Professor Jerry Gana, Aisha Yesufu, Professor Pat Utomi, Solomon Dalung, Abdulfatai Ahmed, Rotimi Amechi, and Babangida Aliyu, among others.

A central resolution adopted at the summit was the plan to present a single presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections, a strategy driven by the need to avoid vote fragmentation and strengthen the opposition's chances against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). This commitment was outlined in a joint communiqué, dubbed the Ibadan Declaration, which also vowed to resist all machinations by the APC to foist a one-party state on Nigeria and fight for the survival of multi-party democracy. The communique further stated their resolve to field candidates and contest the 2027 Presidential and other elections, working towards a consensus single candidate supported by all participating opposition parties to “rescue our nation and her long suffering masses.”

Adding to the tension surrounding the summit, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) expressed concern over an alleged plot by the ruling APC to disrupt the Ibadan meeting. This followed earlier efforts to deny opposition parties access to venues in Abuja for similar engagements. ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, accused the APC-led government of attempting to frustrate opposition activities, citing an incident where FCT Minister Nyesom Wike allegedly threatened to revoke the license of Rainbow Event Centre in Abuja if it allowed the ADC party to hold its convention. Despite this pressure, the ADC convention ultimately held as scheduled, drawing various political figures, though facing operational challenges like poor ventilation.

Speakers at the Ibadan summit underscored the critical state of Nigeria's democracy. Governor Seyi Makinde warned of a steady erosion of democratic competition and the threat of a one-party state, stating, “Democracy without opposition is not democracy.” Taminu Turaki, factional National Chairman of the PDP, described the move for unity as strategic and necessary, using the analogy that “A single stick can be broken easily, but a bundle of sticks is far more difficult to break.” Former Senate President David Mark called the moment a “national rescue mission,” stressing the inability of any single opposition party to confront the current political structure alone, and urging a rewriting of the story of coalition building in Nigeria.

The opposition parties also raised significant concerns regarding the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). In their communiqué, they alleged that INEC Chairman Professor Joash Amupitan had “shown bias and partisanship in favour of the APC” and called for his removal from office. They asserted that Nigerians had lost confidence in his capacity to guarantee free, fair, transparent, and credible elections, warning that his continued stay in office was “vexatious and capable of triggering widespread crisis.” Furthermore, the parties urged the National Assembly to immediately review the Electoral Act 2026 to remove sections that threaten the sanctity and integrity of elections.