The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed the opposition’s move to present a unified presidential candidate for the 2027 election, describing the much-publicised Ibadan summit as a “ruse” lacking legitimacy.
APC National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, said the gathering did not represent a formal convergence of political parties but rather an informal assembly of individuals without proper authorisation.
“The so-called Ibadan summit is a ruse. It was an assemblage of individuals, not ten political parties,” Basiru said in an interview. “For parties to meet, there must be prior authorisation from their NWC or NEC. Without that, it is simply a gathering of individuals.”
He argued that the opposition’s claim of a multi-party alliance contradicts its earlier narrative and exposes what he described as its structural weakness.
“If they now claim that ten political parties met to gang up against one party, it contradicts their earlier narrative. It shows that the political space remains open, but they lack the strength to compete individually,” he added.
Basiru’s comments come amid growing political debate over the outcome of the opposition summit held in Ibadan, Ibadan, where several opposition leaders announced plans to field a single presidential candidate to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election.
At the summit, which took place at the Banquet Hall of the Oyo State Government House, opposition figures drawn from parties including the Peoples Democratic Party, African Democratic Congress, Labour Party Nigeria and New Nigeria Peoples Party resolved to pursue a joint ticket as part of efforts to unseat the APC.
The resolution was contained in a communique issued at the end of the meeting, where leaders framed the alliance as a necessary step to “rescue the nation” and address worsening socio-economic and security challenges.
According to Taminu Turaki, who spoke on behalf of the group, the coalition would work towards building consensus around a single candidate capable of mounting a formidable challenge in 2027.
Prominent political figures at the summit included Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rabiu Kwankwaso and Seyi Makinde, among others.
Atiku Abubakar Turaki, Aregbesola, David Mark, Seyi Makinde, others at Ibadan summit
In a statement following the meeting, Atiku said the opposition had “spoken with one voice,” stressing the need for unity to safeguard Nigeria’s democracy.
“This is not a choice; it is an obligation we owe to Nigeria and to generations yet unborn,” he said.
Beyond the single-candidate proposal, opposition leaders used the platform to raise concerns about the electoral environment ahead of the 2027 polls.
They called on the National Assembly to review provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, arguing that certain sections could undermine the credibility of elections.
The coalition also expressed reservations about the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission, questioning the neutrality of its chairman, Joash Amupitan.
According to the communique, the opposition alleged bias and partisanship, warning that such perceptions could erode public confidence in the electoral process.
They further criticised recently released guidelines by the electoral body, describing them as restrictive and designed to impose undue pressure on opposition parties.
As part of their demands, the parties called for an extension of the deadline for party primaries to July 2026, arguing that more time was needed to build consensus and strengthen internal processes.
Broader political tensions
The summit also highlighted broader tensions between the ruling party and opposition groups, with the latter accusing the APC of attempting to push Nigeria toward a one-party state.
Opposition leaders pledged to resist any such moves and reaffirmed their commitment to multi-party democracy.
They also called for the release of detained political actors and an end to what they described as harassment of opposition figures, insisting that all Nigerians must be allowed to participate freely in the political process.
Despite these declarations, uncertainty remains over how many political parties will fully align with the single-candidate strategy and whether internal rivalries could undermine the effort.
Full communique below:
IBADAN DECLARATION
Communiqué issued at the end of Opposition Political Parties National Summit held on Saturday April 25, 2026 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Participating Opposition Parties in Nigeria, after an extensive deliberation on the collective threats that we face and the existential challenges facing our country under the stranglehold of the oppressive and anti-democratic All Progressives Congress (APC) and given the need for urgent, collective action to rescue our nation and the destiny of over 200 million compatriots, hereby resolve as follows:
1. That we shall resist all machinations by the APC to foist a one-party State on Nigeria and fight for the survival of multi-party democracy in our country.
2. That despite the onslaughts and manoeuvrings of the ruling party, the APC to impose President Bola Tinubu as the sole Presidential candidate in 2027; we shall field candidates and contest the 2027 Presidential and other elections.
3. That we shall work towards fielding one Presidential Candidate for the 2027 elections, which shall be agreed and supported by all participating opposition parties to rescue our nation and her long suffering masses.
4. That the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, having shown bias and partisanship in favour of the ruling APC, should not conduct the 2027 general elections as Nigerians across board have lost confidence in him and his capacity to guarantee the required neutrality to deliver free, fair, transparent and credible elections. His continuous stay in office is vexatious and capable of triggering wide spread crisis in our nation.
5. That the National Assembly should immediately review the Electoral Act, 2026 to remove all sections that threaten the sanctity and integrity of the elections and run counter to constitutional provisions.
6. That all leading politicians that are being detained or harassed on bailable offfences be released with immediate effect and allowed to exercise their fundamental rights of participation and inclusivity as Nigerians.
7. That we consider the recent guidelines released by the INEC as obstacles, deliberately engineered to impose conditions and deadlines on the opposition parties. We therefore demand that INEC extends the deadline for primaries till the end of July, 2026.
8. The Summit commends Nigerians for their resilience and readiness to work with Opposition Parties to free our nation from State capture.
9. The National summit of Opposition Political Parties thank the Oyo State Governor Engr. Seyi Makinde and the people of Oyo State for hosting the epochal event.
SIGNED:
Chairmen of Participating Opposition Parties.