Factions within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party, and Labour Party have rejected the recent opposition summit held in Ibadan, distancing themselves from resolutions aimed at presenting a single presidential candidate against President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
The factions insisted that the gathering does not reflect their official positions and reaffirmed their intention to field separate candidates in the next general election.
The controversy follows the summit in Ibadan, where several opposition figures reportedly agreed on the need for a united front ahead of the 2027 elections.
The PDP National Working Committee, aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, described the organisers of the summit as impostors and alleged that prominent politicians, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President David Mark, and former governors such as Peter Obi, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and others were misled.
The Labour Party’s Interim National Chairman, Nenadi Usman, also disowned the summit, stating that the party was not involved in any agreement to present a joint presidential candidate.
Similarly, two factions within the ADC, led by Kingsley Ogga and Nafiu Gombe under the camp of 2023 presidential candidate Dumebi Kachikwu, denied participation in the meeting, while the Accord Party warned it may take legal action against individuals falsely representing the party.
The All Progressives Congress (APC), however, dismissed the opposition coalition efforts, accusing them of political blackmail and criticising remarks made by Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, during the summit.
At the Ibadan gathering, Makinde warned against political suppression and referenced the historical “Operation Wetie” crisis, a violent political unrest that occurred in Western Nigeria in 1965 following deep party rivalries.
Despite internal divisions, a communiqué issued after the summit suggested that opposition leaders had agreed to explore the possibility of presenting a unified presidential candidate to challenge the ruling party in 2027.
The document was reportedly signed by party representatives including David Mark (ADC), Tanimu Turaki (SAN) (PDP), Hakeem Baba-Ahmed (PRP), Ajuji Ahmed (NNPP), and several other party chairmen.
Prominent political figures present at the summit included Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rabiu Kwankwaso, former governors such as Rauf Aregbesola, Rotimi Amaechi, Liyel Imoke, and Aminu Tambuwal, alongside political economist Pat Utomi and other stakeholders.
Following the meeting, the Wike-aligned PDP faction dismissed the summit as illegitimate and vowed to pursue its own political strategy ahead of the 2027 elections.
The development highlights growing fragmentation within Nigeria’s opposition landscape as parties position themselves for what is expected to be a highly competitive election cycle.
