With major opposition groups and parties taking divergent stances on the planned arrangement, the opposition's effort to coalesce behind a single presidential candidate against President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 election may be losing steam. The Nyesom Wike-backed PDP faction ruled out any cooperation, while the Tanimu Turaki-led PDP faction leaves the idea open.
Additionally, the camp of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar confirmed that while opposition parties have already produced their candidates, they are still dedicated to cooperating.
The APC, however, rejected the opposition parties' plan, claiming it couldn't prevent the President from running for reelection.
At a summit on April 25 in Ibadan, Oyo State, opposition political leaders decided to cooperate ahead of the 2027 general election and to consider fielding a single presidential candidate to run against Tinubu.
Former Senate President David Mark of the African Democratic Congress, Tanimu Turaki (SAN) of the PDP, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed of the Peoples Redemption Party, Ajuji Ahmed of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Cleopas Moses of the Nigeria Democratic Coalition, Uche Nnadi of the Action Peoples Party, and Mgbudem Maxwell of Accord were reportedly among the party leaders who signed the statement.
Adekunle Omoaje of the Action Alliance, Yusuf Dantalle of the Allied People's Movement, Samuel Memeh, Abdulrahman Abubakar of the Young Progressives Party, Yabagi Sani of the Action Democratic Party, and Dan Nwanyanwu of the Zenith Labour Party were among the others.
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 were among the notable opposition figures who attended the summit.
However, a number of the leaders who attended the Ibadan summit have become presidential or vice-presidential contenders for various opposition parties, around three months following the summit.
Makinde emerged as the APM's presidential candidate, while Atiku and Amaechi emerged as the ADC's presidential and vice-presidential candidates, respectively.
In a similar vein, Obi and Kwankwaso emerged as the NDC's presidential and vice-presidential candidates, respectively. Other summit attendees have also won presidential or vice-presidential tickets on different opposition platforms.
Political parties have completed the process and submitted the names of their candidates on the INEC portal after the Independent National Electoral Commission set a deadline of May 30 for them to hold their primaries and choose candidates.
In an exclusive interview with our correspondent, Ini Ememobong, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP's Turaki-led Interim National Working Committee, revealed that the opposition's plan to field a single presidential candidate against Tinubu was still a feasible tactic.
He emphasized that no opposition party could win the election on its own and stated that the proposition was still on the table.
"The simple answer is that the end justifies the means," Ememobong said. Defeating the incumbent is the ultimate goal, and every tactic that could contribute to it is still being considered.
The idea was embraced as part of a larger plan to unite opposition groups and provide them a more powerful platform to oppose the ruling party.
As a result, the matter is still being examined, and conversations are continuing. There is still a potential that the ultimate choice will be based on what best advances the common good and raises the likelihood of reaching the intended result.
"As part of attempts to investigate the prospect of cooperation, the PDP is conversing with other opposition political parties and stakeholders.
In actuality, the opposition recognizes the value of cooperation and togetherness. If the objective is to pose a serious threat to the incumbent, no opposition party can afford to function in a vacuum.
As a result, all opposition political groups are open to talks and agreements that can result in increased collaboration.
Finding a practical plan that may bring the opposition together, increase its chances, and give Nigerians a viable alternative in the upcoming election is ultimately what counts. Thus, the methods are justified by the end.
However, the Wike-backed PDP group denied rumors of an agreement with any political party before the general election, maintaining that the party was getting ready to run its own candidates for governor, president, and other positions.
In an exclusive conversation with our correspondent, Jungudo Mohammed, the National Publicity Secretary of the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led NWC, stated that the PDP was still focused on winning elections rather than forming an alliance.
"We have repeatedly stated that the PDP, the one and only genuine Peoples Democratic Party, is not in alliance with any political party," he said.
"No candidate is being fielded alongside anyone." We have our own candidates for governor, president, and other positions. Therefore, we have no alliances.
"The party is determined and focused. We are preparing for and concentrating on the upcoming election.
"We are confident that Nigerians will provide us with all the support we need because they are waiting for us."
"Ahead of the next election, the PDP is rebuilding and progressively gaining momentum under Abdulrahman Mohammed's leadership. Therefore, we have no affiliation with any political party or individual.
On Wednesday, Atiku's camp seemed to minimize the possibility that there would be just one opposition presidential candidate.
Senior Special Assistant to Atiku on Public Communication Phrank Shaibu stated in an exclusive interview with The PUNCH on Wednesday that opposition parties had already finished their internal procedures and produced candidates in accordance with the Electoral Act and their individual constitutions.
However, Shaibu insisted that opposition leaders were still committed to cooperating, emphasizing that talks about potential areas of cooperation will continue before the election.
His Excellency Atiku Abubakar is the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, which has already wrapped up its presidential primaries.
In compliance with their individual constitutions and the Electoral Act, other opposition parties have also produced their candidates.
Nevertheless, opposition leaders' determination to cooperate for the benefit of the country is unwavering.
Engagements among democratic forces will continue to be guided by the common belief that Nigeria needs a capable, accountable, and people-centered administration.
"Discussions on areas of cooperation and collaboration aimed at ensuring the defeat of the APC and the emergence of a government that truly reflects the aspirations of Nigerians will continue within the framework of the law and mutual respect among all stakeholders as the election draws closer," he stated.
A plan to nominate a single presidential candidate in the 2027 election was also rejected by important opposition figures and political parties.
No such agreement had been reached, according to the NDC, PRP, Labour Party, Accord, and certain members of the ADC, who insisted on running their own candidates.
Following the announcement of the Obi-Kwankwaso joint ticket, the NDC's National Leader, Seriake Dickson, ruled out talks on a compromise candidate.
"At this point, we are not prepared to talk about the opposition running a single presidential candidate in the 2027 election. He informed our correspondent at his Abuja home, "The media will be among the first to know about it when the time is right."
Additionally, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, the National Chairman of the PRP, stated that although opposition parties were still willing to form alliances, their primary goal was to overthrow the APC government.
"We will come up with strategies to work together or independently once we know who is on the team. The opposition's primary concern and sole objective is to overthrow this administration because it must be removed. Under this administration, Nigeria cannot endure four more years.
"As a party or as a coalition of parties, we will take all legal action necessary to win this election. We'll do it because we have to save our nation, and we take this extremely seriously, not because we want to run for government.
"So, to change this government and ensure that President Tinubu and his administration do not return and destroy this country, we are willing to enter into any arrangement that strengthens the opposition," he said.
The Accord distanced itself from a recent political gathering in Ibadan where the proposition allegedly featured, rejecting accusations that it was connected to any coalition strategy for a single presidential candidate.
The plan to draft a single presidential flag bearer to run against Tinubu in 2027, according to an ADC section led by Nafiu Bala Gombe, was not part of the initiative.
Bala Kumo, the Chief of Staff of Gombe, objected to the proposal, stating that it was not acceptable to them.
"As the true members of the African Democratic Congress, we do not support it," he declared. Therefore, we oppose any resolution that was made there.
The ADC is a party that already exists. It was nonexistent yesterday, the day before yesterday, last week, and last month. ADC has been around for about two decades. Insha'Allah, every elective office at every level will back the candidate we are putting up.
"The Ibadan summit, in my opinion, is best characterized as the reunion of former Peoples Democratic Party members who have sided with resentful or unhappy people who have been disregarded by the party.
"For the record, I want to reassure you that the African Democratic Congress did not participate in the summit and should not be associated with any resolution or outcome that resulted from it."
Additionally, the Labour Party denied rumors that it was included in the suggested accord.
"As of right now, we are not part of the Ibadan summit arrangement," stated Ken Asogwa, the party's National Publicity Secretary. For the present, that is the party's stance.
"We will notify Nigerians if we need to form a coalition with other political parties in the future."
Alex Otti, the governor of Abia State and a prominent member of the Labour Party, had taken a similar stance.
"Unfortunately, we are not a part of that arrangement," he stated. Our national convention was held. Therefore, whatever transpired at that summit does not bind us.
In response, APC Director of Publicity Bala Ibrahim denied that opposition parties could defeat Tinubu in 2027, even if they banded together to support a single presidential candidate.
Ibrahim expressed confidence that the APC will hold onto power whether the opposition ran independently or as a group, claiming that none of the opposition candidates listed on the INEC page had Tinubu's traits.
"We are not concerned about the possibility that the opposition will present a single candidate against our candidate," he said. Since we are aware that the problem is dead on arrival, we are not concerned.
We are not concerned because none of the candidates on the INEC webpage thus far possess the attributes that our candidate possesses.
"We won't have any issues with whatever happens. We are sure we'll prevail.
"We won't have any trouble defeating them as a group because we were able to defeat them individually. There won't be any issues at all.
Even the opposition, he said, was aware that Tinubu's reforms were essential to the nation's survival.
"People no longer feel afraid of the reforms that were implemented because they are starting to realize how important they were.
Without the implementation of these reforms, the nation could not have survived, and they are starting to show results. "The people are brave despite the suffering," he remarked.
