The National Opposition Political Parties Summit held on April 25, 2026, in Ibadan, Oyo State, hosted by Governor Seyi Makinde, could be remembered as one of the most significant political gatherings in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic. Under the theme “That We May Work Together for a United Opposition to Sustain Our Democracy,” key opposition leaders including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Rotimi Amaechi and several others converged, with former President Olusegun Obasanjo chairing a high-level panel. The outcome of the Ibadan Declaration sends a clear message: Nigeria’s opposition is ready to challenge the dominance of the ruling APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.
As a concerned Nigerian who has watched our democracy oscillate between promise and disappointment, I see this summit as a welcome display of political maturity. The most striking resolution is the commitment by the participating parties to field a single consensus presidential candidate. This directly confronts the painful reality of opposition vote-splitting that cost them dearly in 2023. When leaders who collectively garnered millions of votes in the last election come together, it signals a pragmatic shift from ego-driven politics to strategic collaboration.
The Ibadan Declaration also touches on critical issues: resisting the slide towards a de facto one-party state, demanding comprehensive electoral reforms (including a review of INEC’s leadership and processes), calling for an end to what they term politically motivated prosecutions, and pushing for extended timelines for party primaries to accommodate coalition arrangements. These are not empty rhetorics; they address real threats to our democratic health.
Hosting the summit in Ibadan under a PDP governor further adds symbolic value. It demonstrates that opposition unity can rise above party labels and regional sentiments something Nigeria has long needed.
However, I remain cautiously optimistic. Nigeria’s political history is littered with failed alliances, broken promises, and last-minute betrayals. The real test will not be in signing communiqués in Ibadan, but in the difficult work that follows: selecting a consensus candidate without acrimony, harmonising differing ideologies, and building a structure that can withstand the inevitable pressures from the ruling party. Will personal ambitions once again override the collective interest? Will smaller parties be given genuine voice or merely used as appendages? These questions linger.
Furthermore, while the anti-APC tone is understandable, the opposition must move beyond criticism and present credible, people-centred alternatives on security, economic recovery, poverty alleviation, and national unity. Nigerians are tired of elite summits that produce headlines but little tangible change.
Nevertheless, the Summit remains a net positive for our democracy. In a season of economic hardship, widespread insecurity, and eroding public trust, a strong, united, and purposeful opposition serves as a necessary counterweight to power. It raises the bar for governance and gives citizens real choices in 2027.
The ball is now in the court of the opposition leaders. If they translate the Ibadan Declaration into disciplined action, transparent coalition-building, and grassroots mobilisation, they will have earned the trust of Nigerians. If they allow it to collapse into the usual politics of selfishness, they would have done the country another disservice.
For now, I choose to applaud the effort. The Ibadan gathering is a timely and necessary move. Nigeria’s long-suffering people will be watching closely to see whether this time, the opposition finally gets it right.
Nkiruka Nistoran, publisher at NN News Media
Email nkirukalucyugwu@gmail.com
