Fresh cracks have emerged within Nigeria’s opposition ranks after multiple political parties distanced themselves from the high-profile Ibadan summit, rejecting its resolutions and reaffirming plans to pursue separate presidential candidates in the 2027 elections.
Factions within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Labour Party, and Accord Party all disowned the gathering, insisting it did not reflect their official positions or carry legitimate party mandates.
The PDP National Working Committee aligned with Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, dismissed the summit outright, describing its conveners as “impostors.” The faction alleged that prominent figures including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President David Mark, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and Peter Obi were misled into participating by individuals lacking constitutional authority to represent the party.
Speaking on behalf of the group, PDP National Publicity Secretary Jungudo Mohammed stressed that the party had not entered into any coalition talks and would independently field its own candidate. He argued that any credible opposition alliance must be driven by the PDP’s recognised leadership, not what he described as “unauthorised actors.”
Parallel divisions also surfaced within the ADC, where rival factions led by Kingsley Ogga and Nafiu Gombe separately denied involvement in the Ibadan meeting. Both camps rejected the idea of a unified presidential ticket, maintaining that the party would chart its own electoral course. They further emphasised the need to resolve internal disputes before entertaining any coalition arrangements.
The Labour Party similarly distanced itself from the summit. Interim National Chairman Nenadi Usman, through her media aide, indicated that the party’s immediate focus remains internal restructuring ahead of its convention, adding that any future coalition decision would be formally communicated.
The Accord Party went a step further, condemning what it described as the unauthorised use of its name and identity at the summit. The party warned of possible legal action against those responsible, issuing a 48-hour ultimatum for an explanation and insisting it would not be drawn into alliances it neither negotiated nor approved.
The Ibadan summit, hosted by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, had brought together several opposition figures who resolved to work towards presenting a single presidential candidate to challenge President Bola Tinubu in 2027. Participants also warned against what they described as attempts to turn Nigeria into a one-party state.
However, the swift disavowals have cast doubt on the viability of that ambition, exposing deep divisions and mistrust within the opposition bloc.
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) seized on the disunity, dismissing the summit as inconsequential while criticising Makinde over his reference to the historic “Operation Wetie” crisis. The party described his remarks as inflammatory and accused the opposition of lacking both cohesion and a credible alternative vision for governance.
With multiple court cases still pending and leadership tussles unresolved across key parties, the prospect of a united opposition front appears increasingly uncertain. For now, the Ibadan summit has not unified the opposition—it has instead laid bare the fractures that may shape the road to 2027.
