The opposition’s initiative to unite behind a single presidential candidate against President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 election appears to be losing steam, as internal divisions and divergent strategies emerge among key parties and factions.
While the Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) remains open to the idea, the Nyesom Wike-backed PDP faction has firmly ruled out any alliance. Similarly, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar’s camp acknowledged that opposition parties have already nominated their candidates, but emphasized a continued commitment to collaboration.
The All Progressives Congress (APC), for its part, dismissed the opposition’s single-candidate proposal as unlikely to threaten Tinubu’s re-election prospects.
On April 25, leading opposition figures gathered at a summit in Ibadan, Oyo State, resolving to explore the possibility of a joint presidential ticket for 2027. Signatories to the communique included former Senate President David Mark (ADC), Tanimu Turaki (PDP), Hakeem Baba-Ahmed (PRP), Ajuji Ahmed (NNPP), Cleopas Moses (Nigeria Democratic Coalition), Uche Nnadi (Action Peoples Party), Mgbudem Maxwell (Accord), Yusuf Dantalle (Allied People’s Movement), Adekunle Omoaje (Action Alliance), Samuel Memeh, Abdulrahman Abubakar (YPP), Yabagi Sani (ADP), and Dan Nwanyanwu (Zenith Labour Party).
The summit also featured prominent opposition leaders such as Atiku Abubakar, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, Peter Obi, former Kano Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, ex-Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi, and former governors Rauf Aregbesola (Osun), Liyel Imoke (Cross River), and Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto).
However, nearly three months after the Ibadan meeting, many attendees have become presidential or vice-presidential candidates for various opposition parties. Atiku and Amaechi now head the ADC ticket, Makinde is the APM’s presidential candidate, and Obi and Kwankwaso jointly lead the NDC ticket. Other summit participants have likewise secured nominations across different opposition platforms.
Following the May 30 INEC deadline for party primaries, opposition parties have finalized and submitted their candidate lists.
Speaking on the developments, Ini Ememobong, National Publicity Secretary of the Turaki-led PDP interim committee, insisted that a single opposition candidate remains a viable strategy: “The end justifies the means. The objective is to defeat the incumbent, and all strategies—including a unified ticket—are under consideration. No single opposition party can win alone; unity and cooperation are essential.”
In contrast, the Wike-backed PDP faction dismissed any talk of alliances. Jungudo Mohammed, spokesperson for the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led NWC, reiterated: “The PDP is not in alliance with any party. We have our own candidates at all levels and are focused on winning the next election independently.”
Atiku’s camp appeared to downplay the prospect of a single opposition candidate, emphasizing that each party has already selected its flagbearer but that cooperation remains possible. Atiku’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, stated: “Opposition leaders remain committed to working together in the national interest, even as each party follows its own process.”
Other key parties—NDC, PRP, Labour Party, Accord, and an ADC faction—have also distanced themselves from the single-candidate proposal. NDC National Leader Seriake Dickson ruled out any consensus talks, while PRP Chairman Hakeem Baba-Ahmed said: “The only goal of the opposition is to change this administration. We are open to any arrangement that strengthens our chances.”
The Accord and the Gombe-led ADC faction similarly denied participating in the Ibadan summit or supporting a unified candidacy. Labour Party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ken Asogwa, confirmed his party was not part of the arrangement: “If we decide to join a coalition in the future, Nigerians will be informed.”
APC Director of Publicity Bala Ibrahim expressed confidence that Tinubu would prevail regardless of opposition unity: “We are not worried about a single opposition candidate. None of the current contenders match President Tinubu’s qualities, and the reforms he has introduced are already yielding positive results for Nigeria.”
