A coalition of opposition political parties has launched a blistering attack on Nigeria’s ruling party, accusing it of plotting to entrench a one-party state and subvert the 2027 general elections, while demanding the immediate removal of the electoral umpire’s chairman.
In a strongly worded communiqué issued at the end of their National Summit held Saturday, April 25, 2026 in Ibadan, the opposition bloc declared that the country is under the “stranglehold of an oppressive and anti-democratic” All Progressives Congress, warning that Nigeria’s democracy is facing an existential threat.
The parties accused the APC of scheming to impose President Bola Tinubu as the sole candidate in the 2027 presidential election, vowing to resist what they described as “machinations” to suffocate multiparty democracy.
“We shall resist all attempts to foist a one-party state on Nigeria,” the communiqué read, insisting that opposition parties would not only field candidates but also work towards presenting a united front with a single presidential candidate to challenge the ruling party in 2027.
In one of its most explosive resolutions, the coalition called for the removal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Ojo Amupitan, accusing him of bias and partisanship in favour of the APC.
The parties said Nigerians had “lost confidence” in Amupitan’s ability to conduct free, fair, and credible elections, warning that his continued stay in office could trigger a nationwide crisis.
The summit also took aim at the recently enacted Electoral Act, 2026, urging the National Assembly to urgently review and expunge provisions it claims undermine constitutional principles and threaten the integrity of elections.
Raising concerns over what it described as political intimidation, the opposition demanded the immediate release of politicians allegedly detained or harassed over bailable offences, insisting such actions were designed to stifle participation and weaken dissent.
The parties further rejected new guidelines issued by INEC, describing them as “deliberate obstacles” aimed at frustrating opposition parties. They demanded an extension of the deadline for party primaries to the end of July 2026.
Despite the grim tone, the coalition commended Nigerians for their resilience and called for sustained public support in what it framed as a collective struggle to “free the nation from state capture.”
The summit also expressed appreciation to Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, and the people of the state for hosting what it described as an “epochal event.”
Saturday’s declaration signals an early, aggressive realignment ahead of the 2027 elections, setting the stage for a high-stakes political showdown between a determined opposition bloc and an embattled ruling party.
Full text of the communique:
COMMUNIQUE
Communiqué issued at the end of Opposition Political Parties National Summit held on Saturday April 25, 2026 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Participating Opposition Parties in Nigeria, after an extensive deliberation on the collective threats that we face and the existential challenges facing our country under the stranglehold of the oppressive and anti-democratic All Progressives Congress (APC) and given the need for urgent, collective action to rescue our nation and the destiny of over 200 million compatriots, hereby resolve as follows:
That we shall resist all machinations by the APC to foist a one-party State on Nigeria and fight for the survival of multi-party democracy in our country.
That despite the onslaughts and manoeuvrings of the ruling party, the APC to impose President Bola Tinubu as the sole Presidential candidate in 2027; we shall field candidates and contest the 2027 Presidential and other elections.
That we shall work towards fielding one Presidential Candidate for the 2027 elections, which shall be agreed and supported by all participating opposition parties to rescue our nation and her long suffering masses.
That the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, having shown bias and partisanship in favour of the ruling APC, should not conduct the 2027 general elections as Nigerians across board have lost confidence in him and his capacity to guarantee the required neutrality to deliver free, fair, transparent and credible elections. His continuous stay in office is vexatious and capable of triggering wide spread crisis in our nation.
That the National Assembly should immediately review the Electoral Act, 2026 to remove all sections that threaten the sanctity and integrity of the elections and run counter to constitutional provisions.
That all leading politicians that are being detained or harassed on bailable offfences be released with immediate effect and allowed to exercise their fundamental rights of participation and inclusivity as Nigerians.
That we consider the recent guidelines released by the INEC as obstacles, deliberately engineered to impose conditions and deadlines on the opposition parties. We therefore demand that INEC extends the deadline for primaries till the end of July, 2026.
The Summit commends Nigerians for their resilience and readiness to work with Opposition Parties to free our nation from State capture.
The National summit of Opposition Political Parties thank the Oyo State Governor Engr. Seyi Makinde and the people of Oyo State for hosting the epochal event.
SIGNED:
Chairmen of Participating Opposition Parties.
