Opposition political parties in Nigeria have agreed to field a single presidential candidate for the 2027 general election in a bid to challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The decision was reached on Saturday during a national summit of opposition leaders held in Ibadan, Oyo State, under the theme “Safeguarding Nigeria’s Democracy: A National Dialogue.” The meeting culminated in the adoption of a joint communiqué, known as the Ibadan Declaration.
Leaders at the summit said the move to present a unified candidate was aimed at preventing vote fragmentation and strengthening the opposition’s chances at the polls. They also warned that Nigeria’s democracy is facing increasing pressure and requires urgent, collective action to preserve it.
In his welcome address, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde cautioned against what he described as a gradual erosion of democratic competition, warning that the dominance of a single party could undermine political pluralism.
“Democracy without opposition is not democracy; it is a slow drift toward a one-party state,” Makinde said, adding that past political excesses must not be allowed to recur.
Factional National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Taminu Turaki, described the coalition effort as both strategic and necessary, noting that internal divisions have historically weakened opposition parties.
“A single stick can be broken easily, but a bundle of sticks is far more difficult to break,” he said, urging political actors to put national interest above personal ambition.
Former Senate President David Mark also endorsed the move, describing it as a “national rescue mission.” He stressed that no single opposition party could effectively challenge the current political structure on its own.
“We cannot confront the future as fragmented entities. This is the time to rewrite the story of coalition building in Nigeria,” Mark stated.
The summit brought together key opposition figures across party lines, signaling a renewed push for unity ahead of the 2027 elections.
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