Opposition Parties Move Toward Joint Alliance Ahead of 2027 Presidential Election.

By Yakubu Jemilat Talatu ✔

The presidential candidates of the Accord Party, African Action Congress (AAC) and Social Democratic Party (SDP) have agreed to work together toward building a common democratic platform ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The development followed a meeting in Port Harcourt involving Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim of the Accord Party, Omoyele Sowore of the AAC and Prince Adewole Adebayo of the SDP.

The candidates discussed issues concerning Nigeria’s democracy, economy and security, expressing concerns over what they described as the concentration of political power, weakening democratic institutions and shrinking opportunities for genuine political competition.

They warned that Nigeria could be moving away from a competitive multi-party democracy and towards what they described as “a coronation disguised as an election.”

Following the meeting, the opposition leaders resolved to align their political structures and forces toward presenting Nigerians with a joint democratic alternative in 2027.

They said the proposed alliance would seek to mobilise workers, youths, women, professionals, entrepreneurs, civil society organisations and citizens across ethnic, religious, regional and political divides.

The candidates said the structure, modalities and choice of a presidential candidate for the proposed alliance would be determined at a later stage, stressing that the national interest must take precedence over individual political ambitions.

The leaders also called for the review of cases involving Nigerians detained or imprisoned over political expression, self-determination advocacy and the peaceful exercise of constitutionally protected rights.

They specifically demanded the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and Bichia Maisango, while also calling for an end to what they described as the legal and political persecution of Sowore over his political activities.

The candidates stressed that their position should not be interpreted as an endorsement of the views or methods of the individuals concerned.

“Democratic societies must accommodate dissent and peaceful disagreement,” they said.

They further urged the international community, democratic governments, regional institutions and human-rights organisations to monitor Nigeria’s democratic development.

The leaders alleged that political actors within the security architecture, electoral institutions, judiciary, legislature and executive were attempting to weaken opposition parties and frustrate genuine political competition.

They called for accountability where public officials or institutions are found to have abused their positions to undermine constitutional democracy.

On the economy, the candidates criticised policies of the President Bola Tinubu administration, particularly fuel subsidy removal and currency devaluation, which they said had contributed to rising living costs, reduced purchasing power, unemployment and economic hardship.

They called for urgent economic reforms, including improved wages, stronger domestic production, investment promotion, job creation and measures to address inflation.

On insecurity, they advocated a proactive national security strategy centred on intelligence gathering, technology, adequately equipped security agencies, community participation, economic opportunities and effective prosecution of offenders.

The three candidates also reaffirmed their commitment to defending Nigeria’s multi-party democracy and opposing political monopolisation.

“A democracy without meaningful opposition is merely an electoral ritual,” they declared.

They said the proposed alliance was not simply an anti-incumbency arrangement but an attempt to create a credible governing alternative based on democratic accountability, economic justice, security, institutional reform, social inclusion and national development.

Meanwhile, the Movement for Democratic Renewal (MDR) for the South-South and South-East zones was launched in Port Harcourt on Saturday, with its leaders calling for greater unity and collective action to address Nigeria’s challenges.

The movement is co-chaired by Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim and Nigeria Labour Congress President, Comrade Joe Ajaero.

Speaking at the event, Olawepo-Hashim said Nigeria had the potential to be a great country but argued that successive leadership failures had weakened the nation’s development.

He stressed the need to rescue the country’s democracy, adding that democracy that neglects workers’ welfare cannot deliver meaningful progress.

Prince Adewole Adebayo, the SDP presidential candidate, urged Nigerians to resist intimidation and political pressure, while calling for ideological unity and greater political participation by workers.

Ajaero, who was represented by Denja Yakub, said Nigerians could not rely on others to solve the country’s problems, urging citizens to take an active role in determining the nation’s political future.

The event was attended by NLC leaders from Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Bayelsa, Edo, Enugu, Anambra, Imo, Abia and Ebonyi states.