By Mandy Park
Opposition political parties in Nigeria have resolved to form a united front against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), warning against what they described as attempts to impose a one-party state ahead of the 2027 general elections.
This was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of a National Summit of opposition parties held on Saturday in Ibadan, Oyo State.
In the declaration, the parties accused the APC of undermining democratic principles and pledged to resist any efforts that threaten Nigeria’s multi-party system.
They insisted that, despite alleged pressure from the ruling party, they would actively participate in the 2027 elections by fielding candidates across all levels.
A key resolution of the summit was the plan to present a consensus presidential candidate for the 2027 poll. According to the communiqué, participating opposition parties agreed to work towards endorsing a single candidate to challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC.
The parties also raised concerns over the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), calling for the removal of its chairman, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan.
They alleged that his actions have shown bias in favour of the ruling party and warned that his continued stay in office could undermine the credibility of the 2027 elections and potentially trigger unrest.
In addition, the opposition bloc urged the National Assembly to urgently review the Electoral Act, 2026, removing provisions they claim threaten the integrity of the electoral process and contradict constitutional principles.
They further demanded the immediate release of politicians allegedly detained or harassed over bailable offences, stressing the need to protect fundamental rights and ensure inclusive political participation.
The summit also criticised recent guidelines issued by INEC, describing them as restrictive and designed to disadvantage opposition parties. The group called on the commission to extend the deadline for party primaries to the end of July 2026.
While commending Nigerians for their resilience, the opposition parties expressed confidence in public support to “free the nation from state capture.”
They also appreciated the host governor, Seyi Makinde, and the people of Oyo State for providing what they described as a conducive environment for the summit.
