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FOR THE RECORD: Ibadan Declaration: What major opposition parties agreed ahead 2027
🇳🇬 Nigeria /Elections & Politics

FOR THE RECORD: Ibadan Declaration: What major opposition parties agreed ahead 2027

From Premium Times · (8h ago) English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Nigeria's main opposition parties have agreed to field a single presidential candidate in 2027 to challenge President Bola Tinubu.
  • The agreement was formalized in a communique released after a conference in Ibadan, Oyo State.
  • The parties also expressed a loss of confidence in the INEC chairman, calling for his removal and a review of the Electoral Act.

Premium Times reports on a significant development in Nigerian politics: the major opposition parties have united under the 'Ibadan Declaration' to present a single candidate against President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections. This move signals a concerted effort to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and potentially rescue the nation from what they describe as an 'oppressive and anti-democratic' grip.

That 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.

— CommuniqueStating the core agreement among opposition parties to unite for the 2027 presidential election.

The communique, issued after a summit in Ibadan, Oyo State, outlines a clear strategy: resist the APC's alleged machinations to create a one-party state and fight for the survival of multi-party democracy. The opposition's resolve to field a unified presidential candidate underscores their commitment to a collective approach, aiming to 'rescue our nation and her long suffering masses.'

That we shall resist all machinations by the APC to foist a one-party State on Nigeria and fight for the survival of multi-party democracy in our country.

— CommuniqueExpressing the opposition's commitment to preventing a one-party system.

Crucially, the opposition has also voiced a strong lack of confidence in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan. They accuse him of bias towards the APC and deem his continued presence a threat to free, fair, and credible elections. This demand for his removal and a review of the Electoral Act highlights deep-seated concerns about the integrity of the electoral process.

That the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, having shown bias and partisanship in favour of the ruling APC, should not conduct the 2027 general elections as Nigerians across board have lost confidence in him and his capacity to guarantee the required neutrality to deliver free, fair, transparent and credible elections.

— CommuniqueDetailing the opposition's loss of confidence in the INEC chairman and their demand for his removal.

From a Nigerian perspective, this declaration is a critical step towards a more competitive political landscape. The article, by detailing the participants—including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Governor Peter Obi—and the specific resolutions, provides a comprehensive overview of the opposition's strategy. The emphasis on 'rescuing the nation' reflects a widespread sentiment among citizens weary of the current political and economic challenges. The unity among diverse opposition factions, despite their own past rivalries, is presented as a testament to the urgency of the situation and a potential turning point for the country's democratic future.

That the National Assembly should immediately review the Electoral Act, 2026 to remove all sections that threaten the sanctity and integrity of the elections and run counter to constitutional provisions.

— CommuniqueCalling for a review of the Electoral Act to ensure election integrity.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Premium Times. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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