Nigeria’s opposition landscape could be heading for a major shake-up after the presidential candidates of the Accord Party, African Action Congress (AAC) and Social Democratic Party (SDP) agreed to work towards a common political force ahead of the 2027 election.
Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim of Accord, Omoyele Sowore of the AAC and Adewole Adebayo of the SDP reached the agreement after meeting in Port Harcourt over the weekend. Their discussions focused on Nigeria’s democracy, economy and security, with the three politicians expressing concern about what they described as a shrinking space for genuine political competition.
The candidates warned that increasing concentration of political power and weakening democratic institutions could turn elections into what they called “a coronation disguised as an election.” They subsequently agreed to explore a joint democratic alternative capable of bringing together workers, youths, women, professionals, entrepreneurs, civil society groups and Nigerians across regional, ethnic and religious lines.
The politicians said the structure of the proposed alliance, including how its presidential candidate would emerge, was yet to be decided. They insisted, however, that individual ambitions should not take priority over what they described as the national interest.
The alliance also called for a 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 Nnamdi Kanu and Bichia Maisango, while also calling for an end to what they described as political and legal persecution of Sowore.
On the economy, the opposition figures criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration over policies including fuel subsidy removal and currency devaluation. They argued that the measures had contributed to rising living costs, weaker purchasing power, unemployment and economic hardship, and called for salary reviews, increased domestic production, job creation and measures to bring down inflation.
They also demanded a more proactive approach to insecurity, combining intelligence, technology, better-equipped security forces, community cooperation and effective prosecution. The candidates rejected what they described as political complicity and selective enforcement that allows violent groups to operate without sufficient consequences.
The politicians said the proposed alliance was intended to go beyond simply defeating the incumbent government, describing it as an attempt to build a credible alternative focused on democratic accountability, economic justice, security, institutional reform and inclusion. They warned that a political system without meaningful opposition could reduce elections to what they called an “electoral ritual.”
The development coincided with the launch of the Movement for Democratic Renewal (MDR) for the South-South and South-East zones in Port Harcourt. The movement, co-chaired by Olawepo-Hashim and NLC President Joe Ajaero, brought together labour leaders from several states, with speakers calling for stronger political participation and a government more responsive to workers and citizens.
