NEWS
2027: Opposition Parties Close Ranks, Agree on Single Presidential Candidate as Turaki Leads Charge Against APC Dominance
A factional National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Kabiru Tanimu-Turaki, on Saturday said opposition political parties in Nigeria have agreed to present a single presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.
Turaki made the disclosure at the National Opposition Summit held in Ibadan, Oyo State, where leaders from various parties met to strategise ahead of the polls.
He explained that the decision was aimed at boosting the opposition’s chances, despite what he described as attempts to ensure Bola Tinubu emerges unchallenged within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to him, opposition parties remain united in spite of “onslaughts and machinations” allegedly targeted at positioning Tinubu as the sole candidate of the 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 the parties had resolved to work collectively to present a single candidate, describing the move as a strategic effort to consolidate opposition strength and provide Nigerians with a formidable alternative.
“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 summit also took a dramatic turn as opposition leaders called for the resignation of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Joash Ojo Amupitan, accusing him of alleged bias in favour of the APC.
They argued that his continued stay in office could erode public confidence in the electoral process and heighten 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.”
The summit, which featured prominent opposition figures including former Senate President David Mark, focused on calls for unity among opposition parties, electoral reforms, and what participants described as the urgent need to “rescue Nigeria” from worsening economic and security challenges.
Observers note that the move to adopt a single presidential candidate, if successfully implemented, could significantly reshape Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections, setting the stage for a high-stakes contest between a unified opposition front and the ruling APC.