Leaders of Nigeria's major opposition parties met in Ibadan on Saturday and announced plans to field a single presidential candidate in the 2027 general elections. The summit issued a communiqué vowing to resist efforts by the ruling All Progressives Congress to create a one-party state. Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde hosted the event and warned against weakening the opposition.
The National Summit of All Opposition Political Party Leaders took place in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, on April 25, 2026. Key attendees included Atiku Abubakar, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Rotimi Amaechi, Peter Obi and Rauf Aregbesola. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo was billed to chair the event.
Factional Peoples Democratic Party chairman Taminu Turaki read the communiqué, which stated: “We shall work towards fielding one Presidential Candidate for the 2027 elections, which shall be agreed and supported by all participating opposition parties to rescue our nation and her long suffering masses.” The parties pledged to contest all 2027 elections despite APC manoeuvrings.
They criticised Independent National Electoral Commission Chairman Joash Ojo Amupitan for bias, saying his continued tenure could trigger crisis, and called for him not to conduct the 2027 polls. The opposition urged review of the Electoral Act, 2026, extension of primaries deadline to end-July 2026, and release of detained politicians on bailable offences.
Governor Seyi Makinde warned of one-party consolidation, referencing 1960s “Operation Wetie” violence in the region: “For those that are carrying on as if there’s no tomorrow, they should remember that ‘operation wetie’ started from here.” He said democracy requires real alternatives.
Political economist Pat Utomi highlighted economic woes, citing spending nearly 250,000 naira on fuel while many live on less than 100,000 naira monthly. African Democratic Congress Chairman David Mark decried insecurity, noting over 12,000 conflict deaths in 2025.
