— Says democracy on the brink
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Nigeria’s major opposition figures have closed ranks in what appears to be their most coordinated effort yet to wrest power from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027, unveiling a bold plan to present a single presidential candidate while raising alarm over what they describe as creeping authoritarianism.
The resolution emerged from a high-level summit in Ibadan, where political heavyweights including Atiku Abubakar, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Rotimi Amaechi, Peter Obi, and Rauf Aregbesola met to forge a united front against the ruling party.
In a communiqué read by Taminu Turaki, a factional chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the coalition warned that Nigeria’s democracy was under threat.
“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.”
Rejecting narratives that the 2027 election outcome is already settled, the opposition insisted: “Despite the onslaughts and manoeuvrings of the ruling party… we shall field candidates and contest the 2027 presidential and other elections.”
However, in a significant shift from past fragmentation, the parties declared their intention to rally behind a single flagbearer:
“We shall work towards fielding one presidential candidate for the 2027 elections, which shall be agreed upon and supported by all participating opposition parties to rescue our nation and her long-suffering masses.”
The coalition also turned its fire on Nigeria’s electoral body, calling for the removal of the INEC chairman, Joash Ojo Amupitan, accusing him of partisanship.
“The INEC Chairman, Joash Ojo Amupitan, having shown bias and partisanship in favour of the ruling APC, should not conduct the 2027 general elections.”
It further warned: “His continued stay in office is vexatious and capable of triggering a widespread crisis in our nation.”
On reforms, the opposition demanded urgent legislative action:
“The National Assembly should immediately review the Electoral Act, 2026 to remove all sections that threaten the sanctity and integrity of the elections.”
The communiqué also touched on alleged political repression:
“All leading politicians being detained or harassed over bailable offences should be released with immediate effect and allowed to exercise their fundamental rights of participation and inclusivity as Nigerians.”
It criticised INEC’s recent guidelines as restrictive:
“We consider the recent guidelines released by INEC as obstacles deliberately engineered to impose conditions and deadlines on opposition parties,” adding that “INEC should extend the deadline for primaries until the end of July 2026.”
Makinde warns of “silent democratic erosion”
Host governor, Seyi Makinde, framed the gathering as more than partisan politics, warning that Nigeria’s democratic foundations are being gradually weakened.
“Across Nigeria today, we are witnessing a level of political concentration that should concern all of us… taken together, they point to a pattern where the space for real political competition is disappearing.”
He cautioned that: “Democracy is not destroyed overnight, but weakened step by step,” stressing that “when opposition becomes ineffective, democracy itself begins to lose meaning.”
According to him, “Democracy must be defined by the existence of real alternatives… what we have may still be called democracy, but it will no longer function as one.”
Highlighting Ibadan’s symbolic political history, he noted: “Ibadan has always served as the political capital of southwest Nigeria… this gathering carries that same responsibility.”
Makinde also dismissed suggestions of a political conspiracy: “It is not a gang-up against one man, and it is not about individual ambitions to be president. It is about the collective ambition of the Nigerian people to have a democracy properly defined.”
He added a stark warning: “Democracy without opposition is not democracy; it is a slow drift toward a one-party state. And Nigeria must not make that drift,” urging stakeholders to “think clearly, speak honestly, and act with a sense of responsibility that goes beyond party lines.”
Economic hardship, moral crisis highlighted
Political economist, Professor Pat Utomi, painted a grim picture of citizens’ struggles, linking economic pain to governance failure.
“Let me begin with a simple experience from yesterday. I set out to buy fuel, and by the time I was done, I had spent nearly N250,000 just to fill my tank.
“At the same time, I came across a report showing that a large percentage of Nigerians live on less than N100,000 a month. That contrast is not just troubling; it is absurd. If that doesn’t reveal something fundamentally broken in our system, then nothing will.”
He added: “Food prices are rising, insecurity continues to disrupt agriculture, and ordinary people are struggling to survive.
“Yet we are often told to ‘be patient,’ that things will improve with time. But patience means very little to those who are hungry today.”
Reflecting on missed opportunities, Utomi said: “In the years leading up to independence, Nigeria was not industrialised, but there was a clear vision. Within a few years, manufacturing began to grow significantly. There was direction; there was purpose.”
He stressed: “Leadership without character cannot build a nation. The crisis we face today is not only economic—it is moral.”
On untapped potential: “Every region has resources, talent, and potential. Yet we have become overly dependent on oil, neglecting other sectors and weakening our economic foundation.”
Calling for change, he said: “We need leadership with character. We need policies that reflect our realities, not borrowed solutions that do not fit our context. Above all, we must listen to the voices of the people.”
Still, he struck a hopeful note: “The situation we face is serious, but it is not hopeless. With the right leadership, the right values, and a shared commitment to progress, we can rebuild this nation and create a future that works for all.”
David Mark: “A national rescue mission”
Also speaking, David Mark, National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), described the summit as historic.
“My prayer is that history will remember us—that when the nation cried out to be rescued, we answered. When children went to bed hungry, we answered; when proud, hardworking citizens were turned to beggars, we answered.”
He raised alarm over worsening insecurity: “Across the length and breadth of our country, insecurity has become a defining feature of daily life. Nigeria faces a historic challenge.”
Providing stark figures, he said: “In 2025 alone, Nigeria recorded more than 12,000 conflict-related deaths. Nigeria is now ranked fourth in the Global Terrorism Index. At least 15 Nigerians are killed daily, while about 19 people are abducted.”
He criticised the government’s posture: “We are a nation that is constantly in mourning, yet the APC-led government is behaving as if all is well,” accusing it of being “preoccupied with election matters and politics of self-succession.”
On democracy: “The essence of democracy is to provide the people with a choice… however, the ruling party has done everything to deny the people of Nigeria this very right to seek an alternative.”
He emphasised unity: “No single opposition political party can confront a system so entrenched. We must be united to salvage our nation.”
Mark further alleged systemic suppression: “The move towards a one-party state is real; institutions that should safeguard our freedom are increasingly under assault.”
Framing the stakes, he said: “This contest is between the ruling party APC and the Nigerian people. We are on the side of the people.”
Questioning INEC’s neutrality: “When the referee clearly and proudly wears the jersey of one of the teams, then the legitimacy of the entire process is undermined,” adding that Nigerians had lost confidence in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
He concluded with a rallying call: “Let this summit go down in history as the moment when everything changed—when we chose unity over division, sacrifice over self, and country above all.”
