Opposition political parties in Nigeria have resolved to present a united front ahead of the 2027 general elections, following a national summit held in Ibadan on April 25, 2026.
The resolutions, contained in a communiqué tagged the “Ibadan Declaration,” were reached after deliberations on what the parties described as growing threats to Nigeria’s democracy under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Among key decisions, the opposition parties pledged to resist any attempt to establish a one-party state, emphasizing their commitment to preserving multi-party democracy in the country.
The parties also agreed to field candidates in the 2027 elections and work towards presenting a single presidential candidate acceptable to all participating opposition groups. The move, they said, is aimed at strengthening their chances of challenging incumbent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In a strongly worded position, the opposition called for the resignation of Joash Ojo Amupitan, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), alleging bias in favour of the ruling party. They warned that his continued stay in office could undermine confidence in the electoral process and potentially trigger unrest.
The summit further urged the National Assembly to urgently review the Electoral Act 2026, citing concerns over provisions they believe could compromise the credibility of future elections.
Additionally, the parties demanded the immediate release of political figures allegedly detained or harassed over bailable offences, stressing the need for inclusivity and respect for fundamental rights.
The communiqué also criticized recent guidelines issued by INEC, describing them as restrictive and calling for an extension of the deadline for party primaries to the end of July 2026.
Despite their concerns, the opposition parties commended Nigerians for their resilience and expressed appreciation to Seyi Makinde and the people of Oyo State for hosting the summit.
The declaration signals intensifying political alignments and growing efforts by opposition groups to consolidate their strategy ahead of the 2027 elections.
