2027: Opposition parties to field single presidential candidate

2027: Opposition parties to field single presidential candidate

…..demand resignation of INEC chairman

Major opposition political parties in Nigeria on Saturday agreed to present a single presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.

In a communique issued at the end of the national summit of the opposition political party leaders held in Ibadan, the parties demanded for the immediate resignation of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan.

The summit attracted leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and other opposition political parties in the country.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who was billed to chair the event, did not however attend the summit which had the theme “That We May Work Together for a United Opposition to Sustain Our Democracy”.

The organisers said their decision was in response to growing national concerns over governance, security, and harsh economic conditions in the country.

The communique was read by the factional National Chairman of the PDP, Kabiru Tanimu-Turaki.

They agreed to field a single presidential candidate to strengthen their chances at the polls and thwart alleged attempt by President Bola Tinubu of the APC to emerge as the only candidate during the election.

The parties expressed determination to work together to counter the “onslaughts and machinations” of the ruling party.

“Despite the onslaughts and machinations of the ruling party, the APC, to ensure that President Bola Tinubu emerges as the sole presidential candidate in 2027, we shall field candidates and contest the 2027 presidential and other elections.”

On the INEC Chairman, the opposition leaders said his continued stay in office would undermine public confidence in the electoral process and trigger widespread crises.

“INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, having shown bias and open partisanship in favour of the ruling APC, should not conduct the 2027 general election as Nigerians across the board have lost confidence in him and his capacity to guarantee the required neutrality to deliver a free, fair, transparent, and credible election.

“His continued stay in office is vexatious and capable of triggering widespread crises in our nation.”

Prominent leaders of opposition political parties at the meeting include Atiku Abubakar, Professor Jerry Gana, Aisha Yesufu, Professor Pat Utomi, Rauf Aregbesola; Olagunsoye Oyinlola; Aminu Tambuwal; Rabiu Kwankwaso; Abdulfatah Ahmed; Rotimi Amaechi; and Babangida Aliyu, among others.