Nigerian opposition political parties have converged in Ibadan, Oyo State, to form a united front ahead of the 2027 general elections, culminating in a significant resolution to field a single presidential candidate against the incumbent All Progressives Congress (APC). The 'National Opposition Summit,' themed 'That We May Work Together for a United Opposition to Sustain Our Democracy,' was held on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at the Banquet Hall of the Government House in Ibadan, hosted by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and chaired by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

A leading presidential aspirant from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, emphasized the imperative of opposition unity, stating that Nigeria's escalating challenges, including deepening insecurity, a crushing cost of living, and the erosion of democratic space, demand a collective and coordinated response. Hayatu-Deen warned that continued fragmentation within the opposition would only perpetuate the status quo and prolong the suffering of millions of Nigerians, urging political leaders to prioritize national interest over personal ambition.

The summit saw the attendance of several high-profile opposition figures and presidential hopefuls, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, and Governor Seyi Makinde. Consultations were also held with conveners like Professor Jerry Gana of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Kashim Imam, signaling a growing momentum towards opposition alignment. Other notable attendees included Aminu Tambuwal, Babangida Aliyu, Kabiru Turaki (National Chairman of a PDP faction), Raufu Aregbesola, Rabiu Kwankwaso, David Mark, and Pat Utomi.

Organizers stated that the summit was designed to address Nigeria's pressing governance, economic, and security challenges, while exploring pathways for collaboration. Key speakers included Chidi Odinkalu and Usman Bugaje on democratic governance, Mike Igini on electoral integrity, Pat Utomi on economic reforms, and Kabir Adamu on insecurity.

Amid the gathering, the spokesperson for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Bolaji Abdullahi, alleged plans by the ruling APC to disrupt the meeting, noting previous difficulties in securing venues in Abuja. Abdullahi asserted that despite these challenges, opposition leaders were resolute in their commitment to the Nigerian people. The APC did not publicly respond to these allegations.

The summit concluded with a communiqué, dubbed the 'Ibadan Declaration,' outlining several key resolutions:

• Participating opposition parties resolved to resist all machinations by the APC to impose a one-party state on Nigeria and fight for the survival of multi-party democracy.
• They affirmed their intention to field candidates and contest the 2027 Presidential and other elections, countering any attempts by the APC to position President Bola Tinubu as the sole presidential candidate.
• Crucially, the parties committed to working towards fielding one unified Presidential Candidate for the 2027 elections, to be agreed upon and supported by all participating opposition parties.
• The communiqué called for the immediate removal of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, alleging bias and partisanship in favor of the ruling APC and stating that Nigerians have lost confidence in his capacity to ensure free, fair, transparent, and credible elections. His continued tenure was described as vexatious and potentially crisis-triggering.
• They urged the National Assembly to immediately review the Electoral Act 2026 to remove sections that threaten the sanctity and integrity of elections and contradict constitutional provisions.
• The parties demanded the immediate release of all leading politicians detained or harassed on bailable offenses, to ensure their fundamental rights of participation and inclusivity.
• INEC's recently released guidelines were deemed obstacles, and the opposition demanded an extension of the deadline for primaries until the end of July 2026.
• The summit commended Nigerians for their resilience and readiness to work with opposition parties to liberate the nation from alleged