Opposition political parties in Nigeria have declared a united front against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), vowing to resist what they described as attempts to impose a one-party system ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The resolution, contained in a communiqué tagged the “Ibadan Declaration,” was issued at the end of a National Summit held on Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Ibadan, Oyo State.
After extensive deliberations on the state of the nation, the opposition parties accused the APC-led administration of undermining democracy and tightening its grip on political structures. They pledged to collectively defend Nigeria’s multi-party system and ensure robust participation in the 2027 elections.
A key highlight of the communiqué was the parties’ agreement to work towards presenting a single presidential candidate for the 2027 polls. According to the coalition, such a move is necessary to “rescue the nation” and address what they described as widespread hardship among Nigerians.
The parties also rejected alleged efforts to impose Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the sole presidential candidate, insisting they would field candidates across all levels and actively contest the elections.
In a strongly worded position, the opposition called for the removal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Ojo Amupitan, accusing him of bias in favor of the ruling party. They argued that his continued leadership could undermine public confidence and potentially trigger a crisis if not addressed.
The summit further urged the National Assembly to review the Electoral Act 2026, citing provisions they claim threaten the integrity of elections and contradict constitutional principles. Additionally, the parties demanded an extension of the timeline for party primaries until the end of July 2026, describing current guidelines by INEC as restrictive and unfavorable to opposition groups.
On issues of civil liberties, the coalition called for the immediate release of political figures allegedly detained or harassed over bailable offences, stressing the importance of inclusivity and political participation.
The summit also commended Nigerians for their resilience amid economic and political challenges, while expressing appreciation to Seyi Makinde and the people of Oyo State for hosting the gathering.
The Ibadan Declaration signals a growing effort among opposition parties to consolidate strength and challenge the dominance of the APC as political activities begin to intensify ahead of the next general elections.
