POLITICS: Opposition Rallies Against ‘One-Party Plot,’ Vows to Challenge Tinubu in 2027

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A coalition of prominent opposition figures across Nigeria has declared its readiness to resist any move to position President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the sole presidential candidate in the 2027 general elections, warning against what it described as attempts to entrench a one-party state.

The position was made known in a communiqué issued at the end of a high-level gathering tagged the “National Summit of Opposition Political Party Leaders,” held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Saturday. The meeting was convened by Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, and drew attendance from a broad spectrum of political heavyweights.

Among those present were former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President David Mark, and former Minister of Information Jerry Gana. Civil society activist Aisha Yesufu and political economist Pat Utomi were also in attendance, alongside several former governors and ministers.

Other notable participants included Rauf Aregbesola, Aminu Tambuwal, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Abdulfatah Ahmed, Rotimi Amaechi, and Babangida Aliyu, among others.

In the communiqué, the opposition leaders expressed strong concern over what they termed “growing authoritarian tendencies” by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), alleging that there were deliberate efforts to suppress political pluralism ahead of the next electoral cycle.

They insisted that Nigeria’s democracy must remain competitive and inclusive, stressing that no political party should be allowed to dominate the system to the point of eliminating credible opposition.

“The coalition resolves to resist all machinations aimed at foisting a one-party state on Nigeria,” the communiqué stated. “We are committed to defending the survival of multi-party democracy and ensuring that Nigerians are presented with viable alternatives in the 2027 elections.”

The group further rejected any scenario that would lead to President Tinubu emerging as an unopposed candidate, vowing instead to field candidates across all elective positions, including the presidency.

In a notable strategic move, the opposition bloc also revealed ongoing efforts to build consensus around a single presidential candidate for the 2027 elections. According to the communiqué, such a unified front is aimed at strengthening their chances of unseating the ruling party.

“We shall work towards presenting one consensus presidential candidate, agreed upon and supported by all participating opposition parties, in order to rescue the nation and address the suffering of the masses,” the statement added.

The leaders also raised concerns about the leadership of the electoral body, stating that the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, should not oversee the 2027 general elections. While they did not elaborate extensively on the reasons, the call signals deepening mistrust between opposition actors and electoral authorities.

Political observers say the Ibadan meeting could mark the early stages of coalition-building among opposition parties, reminiscent of past alliances that reshaped Nigeria’s political landscape. However, questions remain about the feasibility of maintaining unity among diverse political interests in the lead-up to 2027.

As the political atmosphere gradually heats up, the opposition’s declaration sets the tone for what could become a fiercely contested electoral cycle, with both the ruling party and its challengers expected to intensify mobilization efforts across the country.