- Ibadan Summit Seeks Reforms, Warns Against One-Party Dominance
- Mark Declares Nigerians Have Lost Confidence in INEC,
- ‘Makinde Says Gathering About Protecting Democracy, Not Targeting Tinubu
- ‘No Right-Thinking Igbo Will Back Tinubu Over Obi’ – Nwosu
On Saturday, the front rank of Nigeria’s opposition made a decisive move towards potential coalition politics in 2027 as key political players across the political spectrum endorsed a plan to field a single presidential candidate to take on the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Opposition party and movement leaders gathered in Ibadan for a National Opposition Summit convened by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, which positioned the next election as a pivotal moment for Nigeria’s multi-party political system, against what they claimed were increasing threats to political contestation.
The gathering, which featured former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, former Senate President David Mark, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Rotimi Amaechi, Rauf Aregbesola, Pat Utomi and other opposition leaders, concluded with a statement in favour of coalition politics and a unified presidential candidate in the 2027 election.
Kabiru Tanimu-Turaki, a factional chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said there were consultations among opposition elements to arrive at one candidate, stating it had become a matter for political survival.
Delegates also expressed concerns about the state of democracy in the country, warning against the danger of a one-party state and advocated for measures to enhance the integrity of the electoral system in the lead-up to the elections.
Opposition leaders pledged in a communiqué released after the meeting to seek the review of some sections of the Electoral Act 2026, the extension of the time for parties to conduct primaries to July 2026, and amendments to the act they said were needed to maintain the credibility of the electoral system.
The summit also raised concerns about the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), with some claiming prejudice and demanding what they said was a level playing field.
But although the opposition presented a united front at the summit, the task of converting elite unity into coalition politics remains a challenge.
The role of regional interests, old rivalries and presidential ambitions raises questions about the possibility of a united opposition ticket.
That was evident from remarks by some political figures outside the summit, especially in the Southeast, where backing for Peter Obi was couched in regional terms, revealing the continued influence of identity politics in national politics.
Political analysts note that aligning those interests with coalition-building may be key to the opposition’s success.
But Governor Makinde played down suggestions that the summit was directed against President Bola Tinubu, emphasising that the summit was about protecting democracy, not any individual.
“This is not an assault on one man,” Makinde said.
“It is about the shared vision of Nigerians to protect an open, competitive and accountable democracy.”
His message was that reducing the voice of opposition parties could undermine democracy.
“Regardless of how dominant any party becomes, it is the opposition that makes democracy work,” he said.
Saturday’s meeting, which saw the attendance of members of the PDP, Labour Party, ADC, NNPP, PRP and a number of other parties, is widely regarded as the most visible indication so far of the gathering momentum towards 2027.
The ability of the opposition to build on the Ibadan momentum into a durable coalition may determine not only the outcome of the next presidential election, but also the future of competitive politics in Nigeria.
