A coalition of opposition political parties gathered in Ibadan today issued a sweeping nine-point declaration vowing to resist what they called the “oppressive and anti-democratic” grip of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Nigeria’s democracy.
The Ibadan Declaration, read at the conclusion of the Opposition Political Parties National Summit, represents a rare show of unity among rival parties facing what they described as “existential challenges” under the current administration.
Here are the nine resolves from today’s summit:
1. RESISTANCE TO ONE-PARTY STATE
The coalition vowed to “resist all machinations by the APC to foist a one-party State on Nigeria” and pledged to fight for the survival of multi-party democracy.
2. CONTESTING 2027 ELECTIONS
Despite alleged “onslaughts and manoeuvrings” by the ruling party to impose President Bola Tinubu as the sole presidential candidate in 2027, the opposition declared it shall field candidates and contest the presidential and other elections.
3. SINGLE JOINT PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE
In a significant move toward unity, the parties agreed to work toward fielding one Presidential Candidate for the 2027 elections — to be agreed upon and supported by all participating opposition parties to “rescue our nation and her long suffering masses.”
4. REMOVAL OF INEC CHAIRMAN
The coalition declared that INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan “should not conduct the 2027 general elections,” accusing him of bias and partisanship in favour of the APC. The statement warned that his continued stay in office is “vexatious and capable of triggering wide spread crisis.”
5. REVIEW OF ELECTORAL ACT
The National Assembly was called upon to “immediately review the Electoral Act, 2026” and remove all sections that threaten electoral integrity or contradict constitutional provisions.
6. RELEASE OF DETAINED POLITICIANS
The coalition demanded the immediate release of “all leading politicians that are being detained or harassed on bailable offences,” calling for them to be allowed to exercise their fundamental rights of political participation.
7. EXTENSION OF PRIMARY DEADLINE
Describing recent INEC guidelines as “obstacles deliberately engineered” against opposition parties, the coalition demanded that the commission extend the deadline for primaries until the end of July 2026.
8. COMMENDATION OF NIGERIANS
The summit commended Nigerians for their “resilience and readiness to work with Opposition Parties to free our nation from State capture.”
9. THANKS TO OYO STATE GOVERNOR
The opposition parties formally thanked Oyo State Governor Engr. Seyi Makinde and the people of Oyo State for hosting “this epochal event.”
The communiqué was signed by the Chairmen of all participating opposition parties. The summit comes 9 months ahead of the 2027 general elections and signals an aggressive push toward a united front against the ruling APC.