2027: Opposition Splits Over Single Candidate to Challenge Tinubu

• The opposition’s plan to field a single presidential candidate against President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 election is facing fresh uncertainty as key opposition parties and factions adopt conflicting positions.

The opposition’s plan to unite behind a single presidential candidate to challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general election appears to be losing momentum, with major opposition parties and factions now taking different positions on the proposed arrangement.

While the Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says the idea remains under consideration, the Nyesom Wike-backed PDP faction has ruled out any alliance, insisting the party will contest the election with its own candidates.

The camp of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also suggested that the emergence of a single opposition presidential candidate is becoming unlikely, noting that political parties have already concluded their primaries and produced their candidates.

The development comes months after opposition leaders met at a political summit in Ibadan, Oyo State, where they resolved to work together and explore presenting one presidential candidate to challenge President Tinubu in 2027.

Among those reported to have attended the summit were Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, former Cross River State Governor Liyel Imoke and former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal.

However, following the conclusion of party primaries and the submission of candidates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), several of the politicians who attended the summit have now emerged as presidential or vice-presidential candidates on different party platforms.

Speaking on the development, the National Publicity Secretary of the Turaki-led Interim National Working Committee of the PDP, Ini Ememobong, said the proposal for a single opposition candidate remains a viable option.

He said, “The ultimate objective is to defeat the incumbent, and every strategy that can help achieve that objective remains under consideration.”

According to him, opposition parties are still engaged in discussions because no single opposition party can defeat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) alone.

“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,” Ememobong stated.

In contrast, the Wike-backed PDP faction rejected any coalition arrangement.

Its National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, insisted that the party remains focused on contesting the election independently.

“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,” he said.

Meanwhile, Atiku’s camp maintained that although opposition leaders remain committed to working together, political parties have already produced their candidates in line with the Electoral Act.

His spokesman, Phrank Shaibu, said discussions on possible collaboration would continue but stressed that each party had already completed its internal processes.

“The African Democratic Congress has already concluded its presidential primaries and produced His Excellency Atiku Abubakar as its presidential candidate. Other opposition parties have equally produced their candidates,” Shaibu said.

Several opposition parties, including the Labour Party, Accord, Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) and a faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), also distanced themselves from reports of an agreement to present a single presidential candidate.

The Labour Party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ken Asogwa, stated, “As it stands today, we are not part of the Ibadan summit arrangement. If there is a need for us in future to be in coalition with other political parties, we will inform Nigerians.”

Similarly, Abia State Governor Alex Otti said the Labour Party was not bound by any resolutions reached at the Ibadan summit.

Reacting, the ruling APC dismissed the opposition’s strategy, expressing confidence that President Tinubu would secure re-election regardless of whether the opposition fields one candidate or several.

APC Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, described the opposition’s proposal as “dead on arrival.”

“None of the candidates so far on the INEC portal has the qualities our candidate has. Since we were able to defeat them individually, defeating them collectively will not be a problem,” Ibrahim said.

He added that the economic reforms introduced by the Tinubu administration were beginning to yield positive results despite the initial hardship experienced by Nigerians.