2027: Opposition Parties Plot To Field Single Candidate Against Tinubu

Leaders of the leading opposition political parties on Saturday announced plans to present a single presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.

The resolution was adopted on Saturday at the national summit of the opposition political party leaders held in Ibadan, Oyo state.

The summit, hosted by Governor Seyi Makinde, took place at the Banquet Hall of the Oyo State Government House.

It attracted leaders from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and other political groups.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who was billed to chair the event, failed to attend.

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The summit, themed “That We May Work Together for a United Opposition to Sustain Our Democracy,” was described by organisers as a response to growing national concerns over governance, security, and economic pressures.

Reading the resolution reached at the summit, a factional National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Kabiru Tanimu-Turaki, announced that opposition political parties agreed to field a single presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.

He said the move was aimed at strengthening the opposition’s chances at the polls, despite what he described as alleged attempts to ensure President Bola Tinubu emerges unopposed within the ruling party.

He said the opposition was determined to work together despite what he described as “onslaughts and machinations” allegedly aimed at positioning President Bola Tinubu as the sole candidate for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.

He said, “Despite the onslaughts and machinations of the ruling party, the APC, to ensure that President Bola Tinubu emerges as the sole presidential candidate in 2027, we shall field candidates and contest the 2027 presidential and other elections.”

Turaki added that opposition parties had resolved to work together to present a single presidential candidate for the elections.

“Three, that we shall work towards fielding one presidential candidate for the 2027 elections. We shall be agreed and supported by all participating opposition parties to rescue our nation and our long-suffering masses,” he said.

The opposition leaders also called for the resignation of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, accusing him of alleged bias in favour of the ruling All Progressives Congress.

They argued that his continued stay in office could undermine public confidence in the electoral process and potentially trigger political tensions ahead of the 2027 elections.

“INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, having shown bias and open partisanship in favour of the ruling APC, should not conduct the 2027 general election as Nigerians across the board have lost confidence in him and his capacity to guarantee the required neutrality to deliver a free, fair, transparent, and credible election.

“His continued stay in office is vexatious and capable of triggering widespread crises in our nation.”

Prominent leaders of opposition political parties at the meeting include former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Minister of Information, Professor Jerry Gana, Aisha Yesufu, and Professor Pat Utomi.

Others include former Governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola; Olagunsoye Oyinlola; former Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal; former Governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso; and Yunusa Tanko.

Also present were former Governor of Kwara State, Abdulfatah Ahmed; former Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi; and former Governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu.