Ibadan Declaration Fails to Unite Opposition for 2027

The Ibadan Declaration emerged from a summit held on April 25, 2026, attended by prominent opposition leaders including Governor Seyi Makinde, Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Rotimi Amaechi, Rauf Aregbesola, and David Mark. The communique released from the summit emphasized the urgent need to rescue Nigeria but lacked a concrete plan for selecting a presidential candidate for the 2027 elections.

Despite discussions, the opposition could not agree on a process or timeline for candidate selection, reflecting ongoing structural problems within the coalition. Peter Obi expressed dissatisfaction with the summit, particularly regarding the failure to address power rotation among regions.

The communique did not commit to any resolutions on presidential candidacy, and the opposition's inability to unify raises concerns about the effectiveness of Nigeria's democracy. The summit's outcome suggests that without a willingness to accept collective decisions, the opposition may struggle to present a united front in future elections.