Nigeria’s opposition bloc has moved toward presenting a single presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections, in a shift aimed at consolidating political strength against the ruling party.
Speaking at an opposition leaders’ summit in Ibadan, the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Taminu Turaki, said all parties in the coalition had agreed in principle to support one candidate.
He said, “We shall work towards fielding one presidential candidate in 2027 elections which shall be agreed and supported by all participating opposition parties to rescue our nation and our long suffering masses.”
Turaki described the planned consensus candidate as central to the opposition’s strategy to rebuild confidence among voters and offer a unified alternative to the All Progressives Congress.
He characterised Nigeria’s current state as one of “progressive retrogression,” warning that worsening socio-economic conditions and shrinking democratic space demand urgent political coordination.
The PDP chairman also accused the ruling APC of fueling internal crises within opposition parties by allegedly backing dissenting elements to weaken rival platforms.
“The ruling party has been sponsoring members of opposition parties to cause troubles capable of destabilising the opposition,” he alleged.
Turaki called for the immediate establishment of a Joint Opposition Framework, describing it as critical to preventing what he termed a drift toward a one-party state.
He said the coalition must adopt a clear, multi-year plan leading up to 2027, anchored on unity, shared principles, and the protection of Nigerians’ democratic right to choose their leaders.
Turaki added that the opposition’s foremost responsibility is to halt the country’s decline and present a credible, people-focused alternative ahead of the next election cycle.
