Opposition splits over single candidate to challenge Tinubu

 

The plan of opposition political parties to unite behind a single presidential candidate against President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election is losing momentum as key factions and parties adopt differing positions on the proposed arrangement.

While the Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party maintains that the possibility remains under review, the Nyesom Wike-backed PDP faction under Abdulrahman Mohammed has completely ruled out any alliance. At the same time, the camp of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar affirmed that opposition parties have already produced their candidates in line with electoral laws, though they remain committed to inter-party cooperation. Meanwhile, the ruling All Progressives Congress dismissed the proposed coalition as an initiative that is dead on arrival.

On April 25, 2026, opposition leaders gathered at a summit in Ibadan, Oyo State, where they resolved to explore presenting a sole presidential candidate. Party leaders who signed the communique included former Senate President David Mark of the African Democratic Congress, Tanimu Turaki 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. Other signatories 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 meeting was attended by figures such as Atiku Abubakar, 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 summit and following the May 30 deadline set by the Independent National Electoral Commission for party primaries, several participants emerged as candidates on various party platforms. Atiku Abubakar and Rotimi Amaechi emerged as presidential and vice-presidential candidates of the ADC, Seyi Makinde as presidential candidate of the APM, and Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso as presidential and vice-presidential candidates of the NDC.

Speaking on the development, the National Publicity Secretary of the Turaki-led Interim National Working Committee of the PDP, Ini Ememobong, stated in an interview that presenting a single candidate remains a viable strategy. Ememobong stated, “The simple answer is that the end justifies the means. The ultimate objective is to defeat the incumbent, and every strategy that can help achieve that objective remains under consideration.” He added, “Therefore, the issue is still under review, and discussions are ongoing. It remains a possibility that the final decision will be determined by what best serves the collective interest and increases the chances of achieving the desired outcome.” Ememobong continued, “The PDP is engaging in conversations with other opposition political parties and stakeholders as part of efforts to explore the possibility of working together.” He noted, “The reality is that the opposition understands the importance of unity and collaboration. No single opposition party can afford to operate in isolation if the goal is to present a formidable challenge to the incumbent.” He further stated, “All opposition political parties are therefore disposed to discussions and negotiations that could lead to greater cooperation.” Ememobong concluded, “Ultimately, what matters is finding a workable strategy that can unite the opposition, strengthen its chances and provide Nigerians with a credible alternative in the next election. So, the end justifies the means.”

Conversely, the Wike-backed faction of the PDP dismissed claims of an alliance. The National Publicity Secretary of the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led NWC, Jungudo Mohammed, stated, “We have said this time and again that the PDP, the one and only authentic Peoples Democratic Party, is not in alliance with any political party.” He added, “We are not fielding any candidate with anybody. We have our own presidential candidate, governorship candidates, and other candidates. So, we are not in any alliance with anybody.” Mohammed remarked, “The party is focused and determined. We are focused on the next election, and we are preparing for it.” He continued, “Nigerians are waiting for us, and we are optimistic that they will give us all the necessary support.” He added, “The PDP, under the leadership of Abdulrahman Mohammed, is rebuilding and gradually gathering momentum ahead of the next election. So, we are not party to any alliance with anybody or any political party.”

The camp of Atiku Abubakar also addressed the development. Senior Special Assistant to Atiku on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, stated, “The African Democratic Congress has already concluded its presidential primaries and produced His Excellency Atiku Abubakar as its presidential candidate.” He added, “Other opposition parties have equally produced their candidates in accordance with their respective constitutions and the Electoral Act.” Shaibu noted, “That said, the resolve of opposition leaders to work together in the national interest remains as strong as ever.” He explained, “There is a shared understanding that Nigeria deserves a competent, accountable and people-centred government, and that objective will continue to guide engagements among democratic forces.” He added, “As the election draws closer, 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,”.

Other key opposition figures and parties also distanced themselves from the single-candidate initiative. The National Leader of the NDC, Seriake Dickson, stated, “We are not ready to discuss anything on the opposition fielding a single presidential candidate for the 2027 election for now. When the time is right, the media will be one of the first to know about it,”.

The National Chairman of the PRP, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, stated, “When we know who is in the team, we will devise ways in which we can either on our own or together collaborate. The key issue, the only goal in mind of the opposition, all of them, is to change this administration because it needs to go. Nigeria cannot survive another four years under this administration.” He added, “Whatever we have to do legally, whatever we have to do to win this election either as a party or an alliance of parties, we will do. We will do it not because we want to take up offices but because we have to salvage this country and we’re very serious about this.” He further stated, “So we are willing to enter into any arrangement that reinforces the strength of the opposition and so that we can change this government and make sure that President Tinubu and his government don’t come back and destroy this country,”.

A faction of the ADC led by Nafiu Bala Gombe rejected the summit outcomes through his Chief of Staff, Bala Kumo. Kumo stated, “We are not in support of it as the authentic members of the African Democratic Congress. So whatever resolution was taken in that place, we are not in support of it.” He added, “The ADC is an existing party. It didn’t exist yesterday, the day before yesterday, last week or last month. ADC has been in existence for almost 20 years now. We are fielding a candidate, and Insha Allah, all the elective offices at all levels will support it.” Kumo remarked, “In my view, the Ibadan summit can best be described as the reunion of former members of the Peoples Democratic Party, aligning with aggrieved or disgruntled individuals who have been ignored by the party.” He noted, “So, for the record, I want to assure you that the African Democratic Congress was not involved in the summit, and should not be linked to any outcome or resolution coming from that summit.”

Similarly, the Labour Party stated that it was not part of the arrangement. National Publicity Secretary Ken Asogwa stated, “As it stands today, we are not part of the Ibadan summit arrangement. That is the position of the party for now.” He added, “If there is a need for us in future to be in coalition with other political parties, we will inform Nigerians.” Abia State Governor Alex Otti echoed this stance, stating, “Unfortunately, we are not part of that arrangement. We held our national convention. So, we are not bound by whatever happened at that summit.”

Reacting to the opposition moves, APC Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, stated, “We are not worried about the possibility of the opposition presenting a single candidate against our candidate. We are not worried because we know it is an issue that is dead on arrival.” He added, “None of the candidates so far on the INEC portal has the qualities our candidate has, so we are not bothered.” Ibrahim noted, “Whatever is going to happen is not going to be a problem for us. We are confident that we will win.” He continued, “Since we were able to defeat them individually, defeating them collectively will not be a problem. It is not going to be a problem at all.” He concluded, “The fear in the minds of the people because of the reforms that were introduced is no longer there, because they are beginning to see that the reforms were necessary.” He added, “There was no way the country would have survived without the introduction of these reforms, and the reforms are beginning to yield results. Despite the pains, the people are courageous,”.