Opposition Splits Over Single Candidate To Challenge Tinubu

The opposition’s plan to unite behind a single presidential candidate against President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 election may be losing momentum, with key opposition factions and parties adopting different positions on the proposed arrangement.

Although the Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party keeps the possibility open, the Nyesom Wike-backed PDP faction ruled out any alliance.

Also, the camp of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar affirmed that opposition parties have already produced their candidates but remain committed to working together.

However, the APC dismissed the proposal by the opposition parties as incapable of stopping the President’s re-election bid.

On April 25, opposition political leaders gathered at a summit in Ibadan, Oyo State, where they resolved to work together ahead of the 2027 general election and explore the possibility of presenting a single presidential candidate to challenge Tinubu.

Among the party leaders said to have signed the communique were former Senate President David Mark of the African Democratic Congress, Tanimu Turaki (SAN) of the PDP, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed of the Peoples Redemption Party, Ajuji Ahmed of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Cleopas Moses of the Nigeria Democratic Coalition, Uche Nnadi of the Action Peoples Party and Mgbudem Maxwell of Accord.

Others were Yusuf Dantalle of the Allied People’s Movement, Adekunle Omoaje of the Action Alliance, Samuel Memeh, Abdulrahman Abubakar of the Young Progressives Party, Yabagi Sani of the Action Democratic Party and Dan Nwanyanwu of the Zenith Labour Party.

The summit was attended by prominent opposition figures, including Atiku, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, Peter Obi, former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, former transport minister Rotimi Amaechi, former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, former Cross River State Governor Liyel Imoke and former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal.

However, about three months after the Ibadan summit, several of the leaders who attended the meeting have emerged as presidential or vice-presidential candidates of different opposition parties.

Atiku and Amaechi have emerged as the presidential and vice-presidential candidates of the ADC, respectively, while Makinde emerged as the presidential candidate of the APM.

Similarly, Obi and Kwankwaso emerged as the presidential and vice-presidential candidates of the NDC, respectively, while other participants at the summit have also secured presidential or vice-presidential tickets on various opposition platforms.

Following the May 30 deadline set by the Independent National Electoral Commission for political parties to conduct their primaries and elect candidates, the parties have since concluded the exercise and uploaded the names of their candidates on the INEC portal.

Speaking on the development, the National Publicity Secretary of the Turaki-led Interim National Working Committee of the PDP, Ini Ememobong, disclosed in an exclusive interview with our correspondent that the opposition’s proposal to present a single presidential candidate against Tinubu remained a viable strategy and possibility.

He said the proposal was still on the table, stressing that no single opposition party could win the election alone.

Ememobong stated, “The simple answer is that the end justifies the means. The ultimate objective is to defeat the incumbent, and every strategy that can help achieve that objective remains under consideration.

“The principle was adopted as part of the broader strategy to bring opposition forces together and provide a stronger platform capable of challenging the ruling party.

“Therefore, the issue is still under review, and discussions are ongoing. It remains a possibility that the final decision will be determined by what best serves the collective interest and increases the chances of achieving the desired outcome.

“The PDP is engaging in conversations with other opposition political parties and stakeholders as part of efforts to explore the possibility of working together.

“The reality is that the opposition understands the importance of unity and collaboration. No single opposition party can afford to operate in isolation if the goal is to present a formidable challenge to the incumbent.

“All opposition political parties are therefore disposed to discussions and negotiations that could lead to greater cooperation.

“Ultimately, what matters is finding a workable strategy that can unite the opposition, strengthen its chances and provide Nigerians with a credible alternative in the next election. So, the end justifies the means.”

The Wike-backed faction of the PDP, however, dismissed reports of an alliance with any political party ahead of the general election, insisting that the party was preparing to contest the polls with its own presidential, governorship and other candidates.

The National Publicity Secretary of the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led NWC, Jungudo Mohammed, in an exclusive interview with our correspondent, said the PDP remained focused on winning elections, not an alliance.

He stated, “We have said this time and again that the PDP, the one and only authentic Peoples Democratic Party, is not in alliance with any political party.

“We are not fielding any candidate with anybody. We have our own presidential candidate, governorship candidates, and other candidates. So, we are not in any alliance with anybody.

“The party is focused and determined. We are focused on the next election, and we are preparing for it.

“Nigerians are waiting for us, and we are optimistic that they will give us all the necessary support.

“The PDP, under the leadership of Abdulrahman Mohammed, is rebuilding and gradually gathering momentum ahead of the next election. So, we are not party to any alliance with anybody or any political party.”

Atiku’s camp on Wednesday appeared to downplay the likelihood of a single opposition presidential candidate emerging.

Speaking exclusively with The PUNCH on Wednesday, Senior Special Assistant to Atiku on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, said opposition parties had already concluded their internal processes and produced candidates in line with their respective constitutions and the Electoral Act.

Shaibu, however, maintained that the commitment among opposition leaders to work together remained intact, stressing that discussions on possible areas of collaboration would continue ahead of the election.

“The African Democratic Congress has already concluded its presidential primaries and produced His Excellency Atiku Abubakar as its presidential candidate.

“Other opposition parties have equally produced their candidates in accordance with their respective constitutions and the Electoral Act.

“That said, the resolve of opposition leaders to work together in the national interest remains as strong as ever.

“There is a shared understanding that Nigeria deserves a competent, accountable and people-centred government, and that objective will continue to guide engagements among democratic forces.

“As the election draws closer, discussions on areas of cooperation and collaboration aimed at ensuring the defeat of the APC and the emergence of a government that truly reflects the aspirations of Nigerians will continue within the framework of the law and mutual respect among all stakeholders,” he said.

Also, key opposition leaders and political parties distanced themselves from a proposal to field a single presidential candidate in the 2027 election.

The NDC, PRP, Labour Party, Accord and a faction of the ADC said no such arrangement had been agreed, with some insisting they would field their own candidates.

The National Leader of the NDC, Seriake Dickson, ruled out discussions on a consensus candidate after the party announced the Obi-Kwankwaso joint ticket.

“We are not ready to discuss anything on the opposition fielding a single presidential candidate for the 2027 election for now. When the time is right, the media will be one of the first to know about it,” he told our correspondent at his residence in Abuja.

Also, the National Chairman of the PRP, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, said while opposition parties remained open to alliances, their immediate focus was ending the APC administration.

“When we know who is in the team, we will devise ways in which we can either on our own or together collaborate. The key issue, the only goal in mind of the opposition, all of them, is to change this administration because it needs to go. Nigeria cannot survive another four years under this administration.

“Whatever we have to do legally, whatever we have to do to win this election either as a party or an alliance of parties, we will do. We will do it not because we want to take up offices but because we have to salvage this country and we’re very serious about this.

“So we are willing to enter into any arrangement that reinforces the strength of the opposition and so that we can change this government and make sure that President Tinubu and his government don’t come back and destroy this country,” he stated.

The Accord rejected claims linking it to any coalition plan for a single presidential candidate, distancing itself from a recent political summit in Ibadan where the proposal reportedly featured.

A faction of the ADC led by Nafiu Bala Gombe said it was not part of the initiative to field a sole presidential flag bearer to contest against Tinubu in 2027.

In an exclusive phone chat with The PUNCH, Gombe’s Chief of Staff, Bala Kumo, kicked against the proposition, saying the idea was unacceptable to them.

He said, “We are not in support of it as the authentic members of the African Democratic Congress. So whatever resolution was taken in that place, we are not in support of it.

“The ADC is an existing party. It didn’t exist yesterday, the day before yesterday, last week or last month. ADC has been in existence for almost 20 years now. We are fielding a candidate, and Insha Allah, all the elective offices at all levels will support it.

“In my view, the Ibadan summit can best be described as the reunion of former members of the Peoples Democratic Party, aligning with aggrieved or disgruntled individuals who have been ignored by the party.

“So, for the record, I want to assure you that the African Democratic Congress was not involved in the summit, and should not be linked to any outcome or resolution coming from that summit.”

The Labour Party also dismissed reports suggesting it was part of the proposed arrangement.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ken Asogwa, said, “As it stands today, we are not part of the Ibadan summit arrangement. That is the position of the party for now.

“If there is a need for us in future to be in coalition with other political parties, we will inform Nigerians.”

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, who is a leading figure in the Labour Party, had expressed a similar position.

He said, “Unfortunately, we are not part of that arrangement. We held our national convention. So, we are not bound by whatever happened at that summit.”

Reacting, APC Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, dismissed the possibility of opposition parties defeating Tinubu in 2027, even if they unite behind a single presidential candidate.

Ibrahim said none of the opposition candidates listed on the INEC portal possessed Tinubu’s qualities, expressing confidence that the APC would retain power whether the opposition contests the election separately or collectively.

He stated, “We are not worried about the possibility of the opposition presenting a single candidate against our candidate. We are not worried because we know it is an issue that is dead on arrival.

“None of the candidates so far on the INEC portal has the qualities our candidate has, so we are not bothered.

“Whatever is going to happen is not going to be a problem for us. We are confident that we will win.

“Since we were able to defeat them individually, defeating them collectively will not be a problem. It is not going to be a problem at all.”

He added that even the opposition knew that the reforms Tinubu carried out were necessary for the country’s sustenance.

“The fear in the minds of the people because of the reforms that were introduced is no longer there, because they are beginning to see that the reforms were necessary.

“There was no way the country would have survived without the introduction of these reforms, and the reforms are beginning to yield results. Despite the pains, the people are courageous,” he said.

SOURCE: PUNCH