2027: Opposition parties realign against APC

2027: Opposition Leaders Explore Alliance to Challenge APC

As political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections gather momentum, opposition parties have begun fresh consultations aimed at building a formidable coalition to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Investigations by The Exclusives Online revealed that leaders of some opposition parties met in Abuja on Friday to explore possible areas of collaboration and forge a united front ahead of the polls.

Among those at the meeting were the Accord Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, his Social Democratic Party (SDP) counterpart, Prince Adewole Adebayo, and representatives of several pro-democracy groups.

Sources familiar with the meeting said it formed part of a series of strategic consultations involving opposition figures and pro-democracy advocates with a shared commitment to strengthening democratic governance and advancing centre-left political ideals.

According to the sources, discussions focused on democratic cooperation, institutional reforms and developing a coordinated response to what participants described as increasing challenges facing Nigeria’s democratic space.

The latest meeting also comes amid reports of intensified engagements between Olawepo-Hashim and the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, fuelling speculation that a broader pro-democracy coalition may be in the works ahead of the 2027 elections.

Insiders said the talks are being driven by concerns over the state of Nigeria’s democracy, the future of opposition politics and the need to present a credible national alternative capable of defending constitutional governance, electoral integrity and democratic freedoms.

Although details of the consultations remain undisclosed, sources said the discussions have progressed beyond routine political engagements and are increasingly centred on long-term cooperation among leaders with similar democratic and governance reform agendas.

The consultations follow the launch of the Movement for Democratic Renewal (MDR) by Olawepo-Hashim and leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), including its President, Comrade Joe Ajaero. The platform was established to promote democratic renewal, strengthen public institutions and mobilise citizens around governance reforms.

Promoters of the MDR argue that Nigeria’s democratic institutions have been weakened by persistent internal crises within political parties and declining public confidence in electoral and governance institutions, making comprehensive democratic reforms imperative.

While none of the political leaders has publicly outlined the full scope of the ongoing consultations, sources said engagements with other opposition leaders, civil society organisations and pro-democracy stakeholders are expected to continue in the coming weeks as efforts to build a broader political alliance gather pace.