By Our Political Reporter

Nigeria’s opposition political parties have issued a strongly worded communiqué, the “Ibadan Declaration,” at the end of a high-stakes National Summit held in Ibadan, Oyo State, where they vowed to resist what they described as attempts to turn Nigeria into a one-party state ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The summit, which brought together leaders of several opposition parties, expressed deep concern over what they called “existential threats” to Nigeria’s democracy under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), alleging growing democratic backsliding and political exclusion.

In the communiqué, the opposition accused the APC of orchestrating moves to entrench political dominance, including alleged efforts to impose President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the sole presidential candidate for 2027. The parties, however, declared their determination to field candidates in all elective positions, including the presidency.

A key resolution of the summit was the intention to pursue a unified opposition presidential candidate for the 2027 elections. According to the declaration, such a candidate would be collectively agreed upon and supported by all participating parties as part of a broader strategy to “rescue the nation and its struggling citizens.”

The opposition also took direct aim at the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), particularly its Chairman, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, whom they accused of exhibiting bias in favour of the ruling party. They demanded his immediate removal from overseeing the 2027 elections, warning that continued confidence erosion in the electoral umpire could trigger nationwide unrest.

“The continuous stay of the INEC Chairman in office is vexatious and capable of triggering widespread crisis,” the communiqué stated.

The summit further called on the National Assembly to urgently review the Electoral Act 2026, insisting that certain provisions undermine electoral integrity and contradict constitutional guarantees.

In another key resolution, the opposition demanded the immediate release of all detained or harassed politicians facing bailable offences, arguing that such actions violate democratic rights and political inclusivity.

They also rejected recent INEC guidelines governing election timelines, describing them as deliberately structured to constrain opposition activities. The parties demanded an extension of the deadline for party primaries to the end of July 2026.

Despite their strong criticisms, the opposition summit commended Nigerians for their resilience and willingness to support democratic change, pledging to work with citizens to “free the country from state capture.”

The declaration concluded with appreciation to the Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, and the people of Oyo State for hosting the summit described as “epochal” by participants.

Signed by chairmen of the participating opposition parties, the Ibadan Declaration is expected to intensify political tension as Nigeria moves closer to the 2027 general elections, setting the stage for what may become one of the most competitive electoral cycles in recent history.

By Our Correspondent

In a powerful demonstration of grassroots development and youth empowerment, the Attajiri Development Foundation has disbursed over ₦30 million to 60 beneficiaries across Balanga and Biliri Local Government Areas of Gombe State, providing each recipient with ₦500,000 to boost their businesses and livelihoods.

The intervention, which targeted youths and women, has been widely applauded as a bold step toward promoting entrepreneurship, self-reliance, and sustainable economic growth within local communities. Beneficiaries were carefully selected based on their commitment to enterprise and readiness to expand their ventures, reflecting a strategic approach to ensuring long-term impact.

Reacting to the initiative, the Coordinator of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Zone E, Muazu Hina, commended the effort and described it as both “remarkable and instructive.” He noted that the empowerment came from Hon. Alfred John Attajiri, an individual not currently occupying any public office, making the gesture even more significant.

Muazu Hina challenged politicians holding public office to rise to their responsibilities and deliver meaningful dividends of democracy to the people they represent. According to him, Attajiri’s intervention serves as a wake-up call to elected leaders who have access to public resources but have yet to make comparable impact in their constituencies.

“This act of generosity and commitment to grassroots development clearly reflects true leadership, compassion, and a vision for community growth,” Hina stated, adding that such initiatives are critical at a time when many young Nigerians are grappling with economic hardship and limited opportunities.

The student body further called on politicians, philanthropists, and business leaders across the country to emulate Attajiri’s example by investing more in youth and student empowerment, emphasizing that national development is closely tied to the wellbeing and productivity of young people.

In a statement, Hon. Alfred John Attajiri reaffirmed his commitment to initiatives that uplift lives and foster shared prosperity. He stressed that empowering youth and women remains central to building resilient communities and driving inclusive development.

“This is not just about financial support; it is about creating opportunities, restoring dignity, and encouraging productivity among our people,” he said.

The foundation noted that the empowerment programme is part of a broader, ongoing effort to deliver tangible change at the grassroots level, with more interventions planned in the future.

As reactions continue to pour in, many observers see the initiative as a model for people-oriented leadership—one that prioritizes impact, accountability, and sustainable development over rhetoric.

By Our Political Reporter

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) says it is considering adopting a consensus approach in selecting its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.

This was disclosed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, during an appearance on One-on-One, a programme on Arise TV on Saturday.

Abdullahi said the party is weighing options between direct primaries and consensus, noting that indirect primaries are no longer applicable following amendments to the Electoral Act.

“We are trying as much as possible to adopt the consensus approach because that is the least costly for us. For us, the best-case scenario is to be able to engineer consensus, and that’s what we are working on,” he said.

He further argued that the cohesion of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is largely tied to its current leadership under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“If you take power out of APC, the party may struggle to remain cohesive. Post-Tinubu, there could be significant internal challenges,” he added.

The ADC spokesperson also claimed that the ruling party is already showing signs of anxiety ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Abdullahi maintained that in a free and fair election, the APC would face stiff opposition from Nigerians.

“They should ordinarily be confident, given that they are in power. However, there are indications of unease, suggesting that the political landscape ahead of 2027 may be highly competitive,” he said.

Ahead of the 2027 elections, the ADC has positioned itself as a major opposition platform through a coalition of prominent politicians. Some notable figures reportedly linked with interest in the party’s presidential ticket include former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, and former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, among others.