Opposition parties unite against APC, plan single candidate for 2027 polls

In a significant move signaling a united front against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), opposition parties in Nigeria have declared their intention to field a single presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections. This declaration, made after a national summit in Ibadan, underscores a growing concern among opposition figures that the APC's perceived dominance poses a substantial threat to the integrity of Nigeria's electoral process and the survival of multi-party democracy.

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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.

The communiqué issued following the summit laid bare the opposition's strategic objectives. Beyond the commitment to a unified presidential ticket, the parties vowed to resist any attempts by the APC to establish a one-party state. They also raised serious alarms about the impartiality of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Joash Ojo Amupitan, accusing him of bias and partisanship in favor of the ruling party. The opposition is demanding his removal and urging the National Assembly to urgently review the Electoral Act, 2026, to safeguard the sanctity and integrity of future elections.

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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 its long-suffering masses.

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, who hosted the summit, delivered a powerful address, warning that Nigeria's democracy is gradually eroding due to the weakening of opposition voices. He highlighted a concerning trend of political concentration, where the space for genuine political competition is shrinking. Makinde cautioned that democracy is not destroyed instantly but weakened incrementally, emphasizing that when opposition becomes ineffective, the very meaning of democracy begins to fade. He stressed that true democracy requires the existence of viable alternatives, without which the system, though perhaps still called democracy, ceases to function as one.

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INEC Chairman, Joash Ojo Amupitan, having shown bias and partisanship in favour of the ruling APC, should not conduct the 2027 general elections.

From the perspective of Vanguard, a leading Nigerian newspaper, this coalition represents a crucial moment for the nation's political landscape. The call for a united opposition is not merely about electoral strategy; it is a defense of democratic principles against what is perceived as an encroaching authoritarianism. The emphasis on Ibadan, historically a political nerve center of the South-West, as the venue for this crucial meeting, imbues the declaration with symbolic weight. It signifies a determined effort to forge a common path forward, driven by the urgent need to preserve a vibrant multi-party system and ensure that the voices of all Nigerians are represented, not just those aligned with the ruling party. The opposition's demands for the release of detained politicians and an extension of the deadline for party primaries further highlight their commitment to inclusivity and fair play in the lead-up to the 2027 polls.

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All leading politicians who are being detained or harassed on bailable offences be released with immediate effect and allowed to exercise their fundamental rights of participation and inclusivity as Nigerians.