Opposition Parties Agree on Single Presidential Candidate for 2027, Demand INEC Chairman’s Resignation

Opposition political parties in Nigeria have agreed to work towards presenting a single presidential candidate for the 2027 general election as part of efforts to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The decision was announced in the “Ibadan Declaration,” a communiqué issued at the end of the National Opposition Political Parties Summit held on Saturday in Ibadan, Oyo State.

According to the communiqué, the summit brought together key opposition leaders and stakeholders who resolved to resist what they described as attempts by the APC to impose a one-party state in Nigeria.

Factional PDP National Chairman Tanimu Turaki, speaking on behalf of the opposition bloc, said participating parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Governor Seyi Makinde-backed Turaki faction of the PDP, had agreed to support one presidential flag bearer for the 2027 polls.

The communiqué stated that despite what the parties described as political pressure and manoeuvring by the ruling APC to retain President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the sole dominant presidential candidate, the opposition would field candidates and remain committed to democratic competition.

A major highlight of the declaration was the demand for the resignation of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan.

The opposition accused Amupitan of alleged bias and partisanship in favour of the APC, insisting that he was no longer fit to oversee the 2027 general elections.

They argued that Nigerians had lost confidence in his neutrality and warned that his continued stay in office could trigger widespread political tension and undermine public trust in the electoral process.

The summit also called on the National Assembly to urgently review the Electoral Act 2026, particularly sections the opposition claimed threaten the credibility and constitutional integrity of elections.

Additionally, the parties demanded the immediate release of politicians allegedly being detained or harassed over bailable offences, stating that such actions undermine political participation and democratic inclusiveness.

They also criticized recent INEC guidelines, describing them as deliberate obstacles designed to frustrate opposition parties, and demanded an extension of the deadline for party primaries until the end of July 2026.

The summit commended Nigerians for their resilience and expressed appreciation to Governor Makinde and the people of Oyo State for hosting what participants described as a significant step toward building a stronger opposition front ahead of 2027.