A gathering of top opposition figures in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Saturday was initially viewed as a major step towards building unity ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The meeting, known as the All Opposition Political Party Leaders summit, was chaired by former President Olusegun Obasanjo and hosted by the Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde.
The summit attracted prominent political actors, including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, former Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, former Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, and former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi.
At the end of the discussions, participants issued a communiqué referred to as the “Ibadan Declaration”, which proposed a single presidential candidate for the 2027 election cycle.
The resolution was widely interpreted as an attempt to consolidate opposition forces against the ruling All Progressives Congress ahead of the polls.
However, developments after the summit suggest that the appearance of unity may not reflect full agreement among key stakeholders.
Sources familiar with the discussions said Obi left the meeting without expressing satisfaction over certain unresolved political questions.
THE QUESTION OF ZONING
According to insiders, Obi’s reservations were linked to the absence of clear agreement on zoning within the opposition arrangement.
Zoning, which refers to the rotation of political offices between Nigeria’s geopolitical regions, remains a sensitive issue in national politics.
Reports indicate that Obi and some southern stakeholders expected the communiqué to address how the presidential ticket would be distributed.
Instead, the final document focused on presenting a single candidate without defining which region that candidate would emerge from.
An insider familiar with the discussions said, “The summit ended politically as it was designed to. They did not achieve what they wanted. It ended without addressing the basic issue.”
Another source noted that the omission left key questions unanswered, particularly regarding whether northern or southern candidates would be prioritised.
The uncertainty is said to have created tension between different blocs within the opposition coalition.
OBI’S POSITION ON ROTATION
Obi has consistently spoken in favour of fairness and balance in political arrangements within opposition structures.
In previous remarks made in December 2025, he expressed concern that unresolved zoning issues were affecting cohesion among coalition partners.
He had also warned that failure to address power rotation could weaken collective political efforts.
His position aligns with sections of southern political stakeholders who believe that the presidency should remain in the south in 2027.
However, this view differs from other political figures within the opposition who have expressed interest in contesting the presidency from other regions.
Former minister of transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has also publicly argued for a southern ticket within the coalition arrangement.
Despite these positions, the Ibadan communiqué did not include any formal zoning agreement.
POST-SUMMIT SILENCE
Following the conclusion of the meeting, Obi did not issue any public statement on the outcome of the discussions.
His verified social media account, which is usually active on political engagements, remained silent on the Ibadan Declaration.
Instead, he shared images of himself participating in a tennis activity during his stay in Ibadan.
Observers say the silence has been interpreted by political watchers as a sign of discomfort with the outcome of the summit.
A political source said, “If they had gone further to say that the opposition would respect zoning, it would have been a different outcome. They only made a political statement for one candidate. The summit is as good as not achieving anything.”
The source also suggested that unresolved issues from the meeting could affect future cooperation among opposition leaders.
CONTINUING POLITICAL CONSULTATIONS
Despite the outcome of the Ibadan summit, Obi is said to be maintaining communication with other political actors within the opposition space.
Sources indicate that he remains in contact with key figures, including Rabiu Kwankwaso, as broader consultations continue.
He is also reportedly monitoring ongoing legal and political developments surrounding opposition party structures ahead of the next election cycle.
Political observers note that the absence of a clear agreement on zoning may influence how future coalition talks are structured.
The Ibadan Declaration, while presenting a united front, has therefore left behind unresolved questions that continue to shape internal dynamics within the opposition.
As preparations for 2027 progress, stakeholders are expected to revisit these issues as part of ongoing negotiations over leadership, structure, and electoral strategy.
