PDP, ADC, LP Factions Disown Single 2027 Candidate

Cracks have deepened within Nigeria’s opposition ranks as factions of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Labour Party (LP), and Accord Party publicly distanced themselves from the recent Ibadan summit. The groups insist the meeting does not reflect their official positions and reaffirm plans to field individual presidential candidates in the 2027 elections against President Bola Tinubu.

Within the PDP, the National Working Committee—reportedly aligned with Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike—argued that leading opposition figures, including Atiku Abubakar, David Mark, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and Peter Obi, were drawn into the gathering under false pretences by organisers it does not recognise.

The pushback extended across other parties. A faction of the ADC linked to its 2023 presidential candidate Dumebi Kachikwu, with figures such as Kingsley Ogga and Nafiu Gombe, denied participation. The Accord Party warned it could pursue legal steps over alleged misrepresentation, while the Labour Party, led on an interim basis by Nenadi Usman, also pulled away from discussions suggesting a joint presidential ticket.

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) dismissed the Ibadan meeting as political pressure tactics and criticised Seyi Makinde for invoking the legacy of the Operation Wetie crisis. Even so, a splinter group within the ADC joined a PDP bloc aligned with Makinde at the talks, where concerns were raised about protecting voters’ political choices amid ongoing divisions.