THE presidential candidates of the Accord Party, African Action Congress (AAC) and Social Democratic Party (SDP) have resolved to work together towards a common democratic force ahead of the 2027 presidential election, in what could become a significant realignment of Nigeria’s opposition politics.
The three candidates, Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim of Accord, Mr. Omoyele Sowore of AAC and Prince Adewole Adebayo of SDP, reached the resolution after a meeting in Port Harcourt, where they deliberated on Nigeria’s democracy, economy and security during the weekend.
They expressed concern over the concentration of political power, weakening of democratic institutions and shrinking space for genuine political competition, warning that Nigeria risks moving from competitive multi-party democracy towards what they described as “a coronation disguised as an election.”
The leaders consequently resolved to align their political forces towards presenting Nigerians with a joint democratic alternative in 2027.
The proposed alliance will seek to mobilise workers, youths, women, professionals, entrepreneurs, civil society organisations and Nigerians across ethnic, religious, regional and political divides.
Further consultations, they said, would determine the structure, modalities and presidential candidate of the proposed alliance.
“The larger national interest must take precedence over individual political ambitions,” they declared.
The three presidential candidates demanded an immediate review of cases involving Nigerians detained or imprisoned over political expression, self-determination advocacy or the peaceful exercise of constitutionally protected rights.
They specifically called for the immediate release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, whose agitation has centred on the political rights and aspirations of the Igbo people, and Bichia Maisango, whom they identified as an advocate of Hausa Zallah cultural rights.
They also called for an end to what they described as the legal and political persecution of Omoyele Sowore over his political activities.
The leaders stressed that their position did not necessarily amount to an endorsement of the views or methods of the individuals concerned.
“Democratic societies must accommodate dissent and peaceful disagreement,” they said.
The three candidates called on the international community, democratic governments, regional institutions and international democracy and human-rights organisations to closely monitor Nigeria’s democratic trajectory.
They expressed concern over alleged attempts by individuals within the security architecture, electoral institutions, judiciary, legislature and executive to weaken opposition parties, manipulate public institutions and frustrate genuine political competition.
While rejecting foreign interference in Nigeria’s sovereign affairs, they called for accountability where individuals abuse public office or institutional authority to undermine constitutional democracy.
They urged international partners to document credible evidence of democratic reversals and consider targeted sanctions, including visa restrictions and other lawful measures, against individuals credibly established to have participated in such activities.
“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 leaders also criticised the economic policies of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration, particularly fuel subsidy removal and currency devaluation, which they said had contributed to rising living costs, declining purchasing power, unemployment and widespread economic hardship.
They called for urgent economic reforms, including substantial salary reviews towards a genuine living wage, stronger domestic production, investment promotion, job creation and measures to reduce inflation.
