Some factions within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party, and Labour Party have distanced themselves from the recent opposition summit held in Ibadan, insisting the gathering does not reflect their official positions.
The groups reaffirmed their intention to field separate presidential candidates against President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election.
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The PDP National Working Committee faction, aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, alleged that key opposition figures—including Atiku Abubakar, David Mark, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and Peter Obi—were misled by individuals it described as impostors who organised the meeting.
Similarly, rival factions within the ADC linked to its 2023 presidential candidate, Dumebi Kachikwu, denied participation in the summit. Leaders of the camps, including Kingsley Ogga and Nafiu Gombe, said the party was neither represented nor bound by any decisions reached at the meeting.
The Accord Party also rejected any association with the summit, warning it could take legal action over what it described as the unauthorised use of its name and symbol. The party insisted it had not entered into any coalition arrangement and would independently present its own candidate in 2027.
In the same vein, the Labour Party, through its Interim National Chairman, Nenadi Usman, disowned the gathering, stating that its immediate focus remains internal restructuring rather than coalition talks.
The summit, held in Ibadan, brought together a coalition of opposition figures, including Governor Seyi Makinde, who hosted the event, alongside prominent politicians such as Atiku, Obi, Kwankwaso, former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, and former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal.
At the meeting, participants warned against what they described as attempts to turn Nigeria into a one-party state and announced plans to present a consensus presidential candidate for the 2027 election.
However, the Wike-backed PDP faction rejected the move, insisting that those who attended the summit lacked the authority to represent the party.
Its spokesman, Jungudo Mohammed, stated that while the PDP is open to alliances, any such arrangement must involve legitimate party leadership.
“Our party is not part of that arrangement. Those who attended did not represent the PDP and are restrained by court orders from acting on its behalf,” he said, adding that the party would field its own candidate.
The ADC factions echoed similar sentiments, urging opposition parties to first resolve internal disputes before considering any coalition.
The Labour Party also maintained a cautious stance, noting that it would only consider alliances at an appropriate time after consolidating its internal structure.
Meanwhile, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) dismissed the summit, accusing opposition leaders of resorting to pressure tactics and lacking a clear alternative vision for governance.
The party also criticised Governor Makinde over his reference to “Operation Wetie”—a violent political crisis in Western Nigeria in 1965—describing his remarks as inflammatory and unbecoming of a sitting governor.
In response, Makinde’s allies defended his comments, saying they were intended as a warning against political excesses and a reminder of historical consequences, not a call to violence.
Despite the differing positions, the developments highlight deep divisions within the opposition, casting doubt on the feasibility of a unified front ahead of the 2027 presidential election
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