PDP, ADC agree political terms, vow to wrest power from APC

…Support single presidential candidate

In a move aimed at strengthening opposition unity ahead of the 2027 General elections, opposition political parties which comprise the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) have agreed to support a single Presidential candidate for the next year poll.

In a joint communiqué outlining their collective decisions and political stance ahead of the 2027 General elections following a national summit held in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, on Saturday where they said “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.

Among those at Summit were Abubakar, Atiku, former Vice President; Rotimi Amaechi, Ex-Minister of Transportation; Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso former Governor of Kano State, and Rauf Aregbesola, former Governor of Osun State.

Also present were Peter Obi, Labour Party Presidential candidate in the 2023 elections: David Mark, former Senate President David Mark; Jerry Gana, elder Statesman; former Governor Saminu Turaki; and Political Economist Pat Utomi, Aisha Yesufu, among others.

Entitled, “The Ibadan Declaration”, which brought together leaders of various opposition parties, produced a resolution which focused on national political concerns, electoral reforms, and plans for a unified approach in the next general election.

“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:

“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.

“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.

“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.

“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.”

The communique, which was signed by Chairmen of Participating Opposition Parties, said, “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.”

The communique further stated that “all leading politicians that are being detained or harassed on bailable offences be released with immediate effect and allowed to exercise their fundamental rights of participation and inclusivity as Nigerians.”

According to the opposition parties, 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.

The Summit however commended Nigerians for their resilience and readiness to work with opposition parties to free the nation from State capture.

It also thanked the Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and the people of Oyo State for hosting the epochal event.