Opposition political parties in Nigeria have resolved to form a united front ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning against what they described as attempts by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to impose a one-party state on the country.
The resolution formed part of the “Ibadan Declaration,” a communiqué issued at the end of a National Summit of Opposition Political Parties held in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Saturday.
In the communiqué, the parties expressed deep concern over what they termed “existential threats” to Nigeria’s democracy, alleging that the APC-led administration is pursuing anti-democratic policies capable of undermining multiparty governance.
The opposition groups vowed to resist any move to foist a one-party system on Nigeria and affirmed their commitment to contesting the 2027 elections, including the presidential race, despite what they described as “onslaughts and manoeuvrings” by the ruling party to impose Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the sole candidate.
A major highlight of the summit was the agreement among participating parties to work towards presenting a single presidential candidate for the 2027 election, a move they say is necessary to “rescue the nation” and address widespread socio-economic challenges.
The parties also passed a vote of no confidence in the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), calling for the removal of its chairman, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, over alleged bias in favour of the ruling party. They warned that his continued stay in office could undermine the credibility of the electoral process and trigger unrest.
Additionally, the summit urged the National Assembly to urgently review the Electoral Act 2026, seeking amendments to provisions they claim threaten the integrity and transparency of elections.
The opposition also demanded the immediate release of politicians allegedly detained or harassed over bailable offences, stressing the need to uphold fundamental rights and ensure inclusivity in the democratic process.
On electoral timelines, the parties criticized recent INEC guidelines, describing them as restrictive and deliberately targeted at opposition parties. They called for an extension of the deadline for party primaries to the end of July 2026.
The summit commended Nigerians for their resilience and support for democratic ideals, pledging to work collectively to “free the nation from state capture.”
The parties also expressed appreciation to Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, and the people of the state for hosting what they described as a historic and “epochal” gathering.
The communiqué was jointly signed by chairmen of the participating opposition parties.
