Plans by opposition parties to unite behind a single presidential candidate to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 election appear to be losing momentum, with major opposition groups adopting different positions on the proposed arrangement.
While the Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has kept the possibility open, the Nyesom Wike-backed PDP faction has ruled out any alliance. The camp of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar also indicated that opposition parties had already produced their candidates, although discussions on cooperation would continue.
The All Progressives Congress (APC), meanwhile, dismissed the proposal, saying a united opposition would not prevent President Tinubu from securing re-election.
The proposal emerged at an opposition summit held in Ibadan, Oyo State, on 25 April, where political leaders resolved to work together ahead of the 2027 general election and explore the possibility of presenting a single presidential candidate against Tinubu.
Those reported to have signed the summit communique included former Senate President David Mark of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Tanimu Turaki of the PDP, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Ajuji Ahmed of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Cleopas Moses of the Nigeria Democratic Coalition, Uche Nnadi of the Action Peoples Party and Mgbudem Maxwell of Accord.
Others included Yusuf Dantalle of the Allied People’s Movement, Adekunle Omoaje of the Action Alliance, Samuel Memeh, Abdulrahman Abubakar of the Young Progressives Party, Yabagi Sani of the Action Democratic Party and Dan Nwanyanwu of the Zenith Labour Party.
The summit was attended by several prominent opposition figures, including Atiku, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, Peter Obi, former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, former Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi, former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, former Cross River State Governor Liyel Imoke and former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal.
However, months after the meeting, several participants have emerged as presidential or vice-presidential candidates of different opposition parties.
Atiku and Amaechi have secured the presidential and vice-presidential tickets of the ADC, while Makinde emerged as the presidential candidate of the Action People’s Movement (APM). Obi and Kwankwaso also secured the presidential and vice-presidential tickets of the Nigeria Democratic Coalition (NDC).
Following the 30 May deadline set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for parties to conclude their primaries and submit candidates, most parties have completed their internal processes and uploaded their candidates to the commission’s portal.
Speaking with The PUNCH, the National Publicity Secretary of the Turaki-led interim National Working Committee of the PDP, Ini Ememobong, said the possibility of a single opposition candidate remained under consideration.
He said the overriding objective was to defeat the incumbent and that all strategies capable of achieving that goal remained possible.
“The simple answer is that the end justifies the means,” Ememobong said, adding that no opposition party could afford to operate alone if it hoped to defeat the ruling party.
He said the PDP was engaging with other opposition parties and stakeholders to explore possible areas of cooperation.
However, the Wike-backed PDP faction rejected the possibility of an alliance, insisting that the party would contest the election independently.
The faction’s National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, said the PDP was focused on fielding its own presidential, governorship and other candidates.
“We are not fielding any candidate with anybody. We have our own presidential candidate, governorship candidates and other candidates,” he said.
Atiku’s camp also appeared to reduce expectations of a single opposition candidate emerging.
Atiku’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, said opposition parties had already conducted their primaries and produced candidates in line with their constitutions and the Electoral Act.
He, however, maintained that opposition leaders remained committed to working together in the national interest.
“The resolve of opposition leaders to work together remains as strong as ever,” Shaibu said, adding that discussions on cooperation would continue ahead of the election.
Other opposition parties also distanced themselves from the proposal.
The National Leader of the NDC, Seriake Dickson, said the party was not prepared to discuss a consensus candidate following the announcement of the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket.
Similarly, PRP National Chairman Hakeem Baba-Ahmed said opposition parties remained open to collaboration but were focused primarily on defeating the APC.
He said parties would consider any legal arrangement that strengthened the opposition’s chances of winning the election.
The Accord Party rejected claims that it was involved in plans for a single opposition candidate, while a faction of the ADC led by Nafiu Bala Gombe also denied involvement in the initiative.
Gombe’s Chief of Staff, Bala Kumo, said the faction would contest the election with its own candidates and was not bound by resolutions reached at the Ibadan summit.
The Labour Party also denied being part of the proposed coalition.
Its National Publicity Secretary, Ken Asogwa, said the party was not involved in the Ibadan summit arrangement but would inform Nigerians if its position changed in future.
Abia State Governor Alex Otti, a leading Labour Party figure, also said the party was not part of the arrangement.
Reacting to the development, APC Director of Publicity Bala Ibrahim dismissed the possibility of opposition parties defeating Tinubu, whether they contest separately or unite behind a single candidate.
He said the APC was confident of victory, arguing that none of the opposition candidates on the INEC portal matched President Tinubu’s qualities.
“We are not worried about the possibility of the opposition presenting a single candidate against our candidate,” Ibrahim said.
He added that Nigerians were beginning to appreciate the reforms introduced by the Tinubu administration, despite the challenges associated with them.
According to him, the reforms were necessary for the country’s survival and were beginning to produce positive results.
