PDP, ADC Factions Reject Joint Presidential Ticket at Ibadan Opposition Summit

Tensions have emerged within Nigeria’s opposition bloc following the Ibadan summit, as key factions of major parties openly rejected the idea of a joint presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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Leaders from factions of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Labour Party, and Accord Party distanced themselves from the meeting.

They insisted it did not reflect their official position. They also made it clear that plans to field separate presidential candidates remain unchanged.

The summit, held in Ibadan, brought together several prominent opposition figures. Among them were Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rabiu Kwankwaso and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde. Discussions at the meeting centred on forming a united front to challenge President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

However, cracks appeared almost immediately after the meeting.

A faction of the PDP, backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, strongly rejected the summit. The group described the organisers as illegitimate. It also claimed that top opposition figures who attended were misled by ‘’impostors’’.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, criticised those who attended under the PDP’s name. He insisted they lacked the authority to represent the party.

“Certainly, our party cannot be part of that arrangement,” he said, stressing that the PDP had not entered into any alliance with other parties.

He added that those present at the meeting were acting in violation of court orders. According to him, “the individuals who attended in the PDP’s name are impostors.”

Mohammed maintained that the PDP remains the leading opposition party. He said it would field its own presidential candidate, independent of any coalition arrangement.

Within the ADC, divisions also surfaced. A faction led by Kingsley Ogga denied any involvement in the summit. The group said it does not support the idea of a joint ticket at this time.

Ogga stated that the party’s priority should be resolving its internal crisis. He argued that discussions about alliances are premature.

Another ADC faction, led by Nafiu Gombe, also rejected the summit and its outcome. The group insisted the party was not represented at the meeting. It reaffirmed its intention to present candidates in future elections.

Similarly, the Labour Party distanced itself from the gathering. The Interim National Chairman, Nenadi Usman, through her aide, said the party is currently focused on internal restructuring.

“If you observe, you will discover that we are not part of those who went to the Ibadan Summit yesterday,” the statement read.

The party added that any future coalition decision would be communicated to Nigerians at the appropriate time.

The Accord Party also raised concerns. It warned that it could take legal action against individuals claiming to represent it at the summit without approval.

Despite the pushback, leaders at the Ibadan meeting had earlier agreed on the need to present a single presidential candidate in 2027. In a communique, they warned against what they described as attempts to turn Nigeria into a one-party state.

Governor Makinde, who hosted the meeting, urged the Federal Government to respect the political will of Nigerians. He referenced the historic “Operation Wetie” crisis to stress the dangers of political suppression.

In response, the ruling All Progressives Congress dismissed the opposition’s move. The party accused opposition leaders of trying to gain relevance through pressure tactics. It also criticised Makinde over his remarks at the summit.