Presidential candidates of the Accord Party, African Action Congress (AAC) and Social Democratic Party (SDP) have opened talks to build a common political platform ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The move brings together Accord candidate Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, AAC candidate Omoyele Sowore and SDP candidate Adewole Adebayo, who are seeking to create a stronger opposition force against President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Politics Nigeria reports that the three politicians met in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where they discussed the state of Nigeria’s democracy, the economy, insecurity and the need for a stronger opposition ahead of the next general election.
The candidates expressed concern about what they described as the growing concentration of political power and the weakening of democratic institutions.
They warned that the country could gradually lose the competitive nature of its electoral system if opposition parties fail to work together.
According to the leaders, Nigeria must not move towards a political arrangement where elections become a mere formality.
They described such a situation as “a coronation disguised as an election.”
The meeting ended with an agreement to work towards a broader democratic alliance.
However, the politicians said the structure of the proposed alliance, its operational arrangements and the issue of who would eventually fly its presidential flag would be determined later.
They stressed that their personal ambitions should not stand in the way of a broader political arrangement.
“The larger national interest must take precaedence over individual political ambitions.’’
The proposed coalition is expected to reach beyond existing political parties.
The leaders said they want workers, young Nigerians, women, professionals, entrepreneurs, civil society organisations and other groups to be part of the process.
They also said the alliance would seek support across ethnic, religious, regional and political lines.
The politicians further raised concerns about the treatment of Nigerians facing detention or prosecution over political expression and self-determination campaigns.
They demanded a review of cases involving people detained for what they described as peaceful political activities and the exercise of constitutionally protected rights.
Among those mentioned were Nnamdi Kanu and Bichia Maisango.
The leaders called for Kanu’s immediate release and also demanded the release of Maisango, whom they identified as an advocate of Hausa cultural rights.
They also criticised what they described as continued legal and political pressure on Sowore over his activities.
However, the politicians said their demand for the release of the individuals did not mean they necessarily supported every position or method associated with them.
“Democratic societies must accommodate dissent and peaceful disagreement,” they said.
The proposed alliance also wants greater attention on Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
The three candidates accused political actors of attempting to weaken opposition parties and restrict political competition through the use of public institutions.
They raised concerns about the roles of the security agencies, electoral institutions, judiciary, legislature and executive in the political process.
They also called on international democratic institutions and human rights organisations to monitor Nigeria’s democratic development.
The politicians said foreign organisations should not interfere in Nigeria’s internal affairs but should document credible cases of democratic violations.
Futhermore, they suggested that individuals found responsible for deliberate attacks on democratic institutions could face lawful international measures, including visa restrictions.
“Nigeria’s multi-party democracy must be preserved. No individual, political party, security agency, electoral official or institution is bigger than the Nigerian Constitution,” they declared.
The economic situation also featured prominently during the meeting.
The candidates criticised some of the policies of the Tinubu administration, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy and the devaluation of the naira.
They linked the policies to higher living costs and a decline in the purchasing power of Nigerians.
They also raised concerns about unemployment and the pressure facing households and businesses.
The opposition leaders called for stronger domestic production and increased investment in the economy.
They proposed improved salaries and what they described as a genuine living wage for workers.
They also called for policies that would encourage businesses to employ more Nigerians while reducing inflation and improving economic productivity.
On security, the politicians demanded a different approach to the country’s security challenges.
They called for greater use of intelligence and technology, better-equipped security personnel and stronger cooperation between security agencies and local communities.
They also advocated job creation and economic opportunities as part of the strategy for tackling insecurity.
The candidates rejected what they described as selective enforcement and political arrangements that allow violent groups to operate without adequate consequences.
They said the proposed coalition would not simply be an arrangement designed to defeat an incumbent president.
Rather, they said it would seek to present Nigerians with an alternative programme focused on democratic accountability, economic justice, institutional reform, social inclusion and national development.
“A democracy without meaningful opposition is merely an electoral ritual,” they said.
The leaders further argued that Nigeria’s unity must be based on justice and equal treatment rather than the suppression of differences.
“Unity cannot be built by suppressing differences; it must be built by guaranteeing justice within diversity.’’
