Ahead of the 2027 general election, opposition political parties are making moves to present a single presidential candidate

The resolution was adopted on Saturday at the national summit of opposition political party leaders held in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo state.

The parties at the summit include the African Democratic Congress (ADC) faction led by David Mark, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), chaired by Kabiru Turaki, and the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP).

In a communiqué issued at the end of the summit, the parties said they will resist all “machinations by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to foist a one-party state on Nigeria”.

“That despite the onslaughts and manoeuvrings of the ruling party, the APC, to impose President Bola Tinubu as the sole Presidential candidate in 2027, we shall field candidates and contest the 2027 Presidential and other elections,” the communiqué reads.

“That we shall work towards fielding one Presidential Candidate for the 2027 elections, which shall be agreed and supported by all participating opposition parties to rescue our nation and her long-suffering masses.”

The parties alleged that Joash Amupitan, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has “shown bias and partisanship in favour of the APC” and should be removed from office.

“Nigerians across board have lost confidence in him and his capacity to guarantee the required neutrality to deliver free, fair, transparent and credible elections. His continuous stay in office is vexatious and capable of triggering widespread crisis in our nation,” the parties said.

The opposition parties called on the national assembly to immediately review the Electoral Act 2026, to “remove all sections that threaten the sanctity and integrity of elections”.

Former Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Ajayi Agboola Alfred, has called on political leaders and stakeholders in Ese Odo Local Government to uphold the longstanding political power rotation arrangement between the Apoi and Arogbo communities, describing it as a vital foundation for peace, unity, and political stability in the area.

In a statement released amid growing political realignments ahead of the next political season, the former deputy governor emphasized that the existing arrangement, which has been in place since 1999, was established to ensure fairness, mutual trust, and peaceful coexistence among the people of Ese-Odo Local Government.

According to him, the rotational understanding has over the years helped to prevent political tension and promote inclusiveness across the two blocs. He noted that the arrangement has remained respected by political actors and leaders across party lines and should not be altered for personal or selfish interests.

Agboola, who stated that he was among the leaders involved in initiating the agreement, recalled how political stakeholders in the past resisted attempts to disrupt the arrangement, particularly during the period when late Dr. Francis Ajih served as Chairman of Ese-Odo Local Government Council.

He explained that despite efforts by some political interests at the time to alter the zoning structure, leaders and residents across party affiliations stood firmly in support of maintaining the agreed political balance, leading to the emergence of Late Hon. Earnest Anifowose from Apoi as a member of the Ondo State House of Assembly.

The former deputy governor warned against any move capable of creating division or mistrust between the Apoi and Arogbo communities, stressing that the House of Assembly seat should, according to the established understanding, remain the turn of Arogbo to produce the next representative.

He also appealed to political figures, including Hon. Toyin Allen, not to allow themselves to be drawn into actions that could threaten the existing harmony within the local government.

While reaffirming his commitment to protecting the arrangement alongside other leaders, Agboola urged all political stakeholders in Ese-Odo to place peace, unity, and collective interest above personal ambition.

He further cautioned that any attempt to undermine the established political understanding could trigger avoidable tension and disrupt the longstanding brotherhood between both communities.

The former deputy governor concluded by calling on politicians and community leaders to continue to play politics with fairness, respect for agreements, and commitment to peaceful coexistence for the progress and stability of Ese-Odo Local Government and future generations.

The Nigerian Army says it has located the suspected remains of two soldiers who were “brutally abducted and murdered” by suspected members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra and the Eastern Security Network in May 2022 while en route to their traditional wedding.

According to the army, the remains of the couple, identified as Master Warrant Officer Linus Musa Audu and Private Gloria Mathew, were discovered when its troops dismantled a notorious camp belonging to the IPOB and the ESN in Imo State.

“The Nigerian Army has recorded another significant operational success in its sustained efforts to rid the South East of criminal elements, as troops of 82 Division, in conjunction with sister services and other security agencies, successfully dismantled a notorious camp belonging to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), in Imo State.

“Acting on intelligence information, the operation, conducted on 24 April 2026 along the Ubaha Orsu axis of Orsu Local Government Area, was part of a deliberate clearance and search mission aimed at dismantling IPOB/ESN hideout within the region and locating the remains of two personnel of the Nigerian Army, Master Warrant Officer Linus Musa Audu and Private Gloria Mathew, who were brutally abducted and murdered by IPOB/ESN terrorists in May 2022 while en route for their traditional wedding,” the army said in a statement on its X handle.

The army explained that the troops, acting on credible intelligence, advanced towards a suspected IPOB/ESN hideout when they came under heavy attack by armed criminals.

It, however, said that the troops demonstrated resilience and decisively engaged the terrorists, successfully repelling multiple ambushes and forcing the criminals to flee in disarray.

“The encounter further exposed the desperation and criminal nature of the group, which continues to target innocent citizens and security personnel alike.

“Following the successful clearance of the camp, troops conducted a thorough search of the area and made a grim but important discovery: shallow graves suspected to contain the remains of the slain personnel. The graves were carefully excavated and suspected remains were recovered,” it stated.

The military authorities further disclosed that the recovered remains had since been secured for detailed forensic analysis, including DNA testing, to conclusively establish their identities.

It also said that efforts were also ongoing to liaise with the families of the fallen soldiers to ensure proper identification and facilitate befitting burial arrangements in honour of their sacrifice.

The army further noted that the operation not only underscored its unwavering commitment to ensuring justice for fallen heroes but also highlighted the continued degradation of IPOB/ESN criminal networks and infrastructure across the South East.

“The discovery of shallow graves within their camp further exposes the group’s heinous atrocities and disregard for human life.

“The Nigerian Army reassures the general public that ongoing operations will continue until all criminal elements are neutralised and lasting peace is restored across the region. We appreciate the Law-abiding citizens for the information and urge you to remain vigilant and continue to support security agencies with timely and credible information.

“The Nigerian Army remains resolute, professional, and committed to defending the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Nigeria,” the statement added.