Ibadan Summit: PDP, LP, NNPP, ADC, and Other Opposition Parties Unite for 2027 Single Candidate

IBADAN, Nigeria — Leaders of Nigeria’s major opposition political parties have resolved to rally behind a single presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections in a bid to rescue the country and ease the suffering of its citizens.

The decision emerged from the National Summit of Opposition Political Party Leaders held on Saturday at the newly built Banquet Hall of the Oyo State Government House in Ibadan.

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, who hosted the gathering, urged Nigerians to stand firm against any attempt by those in power at the centre to undermine democracy.

In a communique issued after the summit, the parties vowed to block every effort by the ruling All Progressives Congress to convert Nigeria into a one-party state, according to details obtained by NaijaChoice News.

The summit brought together the Peoples Democratic Party, African Democratic Congress, Labour Party, New Nigeria People’s Party, Peoples Redemption Party, Accord Party and several others including the Action Peoples Party and Zenith Labour Party.

Opposition leaders praised the endurance of ordinary Nigerians confronting daily economic hardship, kidnapping and killings, while expressing confidence that citizens remain ready to back efforts to restore the nation.

They warned the APC against continued harassment of opposition figures and demanded the immediate release of politicians held on bailable offences, insisting the battle for multi-party democracy would continue.

The gathering passed a vote of no confidence in Independent National Electoral Commission Chairman Professor Joash Amupitan, citing his alleged bias in favour of the ruling party.

Participants described recent INEC guidelines as deliberate hurdles to opposition participation and called for the extension of the party primaries deadline to the end of July 2026.

They also appealed to the National Assembly to urgently review the Electoral Act 2026 and strike out provisions that could compromise the credibility of future polls.

Governor Makinde told the audience that growing political concentration under one party, coupled with internal opposition crises, posed a serious threat to genuine competition and the survival of democracy itself.

Keynote addresses by former Resident Electoral Commissioner Barrister Mike Igini, security expert Dr Kabiru Adamu and Professor Pat Utomi focused on electoral reforms, revamping the justice system, tackling poverty and correcting economic imbalances that favour the elite.

Prominent attendees included former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, former governors and other senior politicians.

The Ibadan summit signals a determined push by Nigeria’s fragmented opposition to forge a united front ahead of 2027, offering a potential lifeline to democratic accountability and the hopes of millions of struggling citizens.