2027: Accord, AAC, SDP Candidates Forge Alliance Against Tinubu
By Nafiu Muhammad Lema
The presidential candidates of the Accord Party, African Action Congress (AAC) and Social Democratic Party (SDP) have agreed to work together to build a common democratic platform ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The resolution was reached during a meeting in Port Harcourt involving Accord candidate, Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim; AAC candidate, Omoyele Sowore; and SDP candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo.
The opposition candidates deliberated on the state of Nigeria’s democracy, economy and security, expressing concern over what they described as the growing concentration of political power, weakening democratic institutions and shrinking space for genuine political competition.
They warned that the country risked moving away 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.
According to them, the proposed alliance would seek to mobilise workers, youths, women, professionals, entrepreneurs, civil society groups and Nigerians across ethnic, religious, regional and political divides.
They said the structure, modalities and choice of a presidential candidate for the proposed alliance would be determined later, stressing that the national interest would take precedence over individual political ambitions.
The candidates also demanded a review of cases involving Nigerians detained or imprisoned over political expression, self-determination advocacy and the exercise of constitutionally protected rights.
They called for the release of Nnamdi Kanu and Bichia Maisango, while also condemning what they described as the continued legal and political persecution of Sowore over his political activities.
The leaders, however, clarified that their position should not be interpreted as an endorsement of the views or methods of those individuals, arguing that democratic societies must accommodate peaceful dissent and disagreement.
They further called on international democratic institutions and human-rights organisations to monitor Nigeria’s democratic development, alleging attempts by some actors within the security, electoral, judicial, legislative and executive institutions to weaken opposition parties and frustrate political competition.
The candidates also criticised the economic policies of the Bola Tinubu administration, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy and currency devaluation, which they said had worsened living costs, reduced purchasing power and increased unemployment and hardship.
They proposed urgent economic reforms, including improved wages, stronger domestic production, investment promotion, job creation and measures aimed at reducing inflation.
On insecurity, they advocated a proactive national security strategy based on intelligence gathering, technology, adequately equipped security agencies, community participation, economic opportunities and effective prosecution of offenders.
The opposition leaders rejected what they described as appeasement, selective enforcement and political complicity that allowed violent groups to operate without consequences.
They reaffirmed their commitment to defending Nigeria’s multi-party democracy and opposing political monopolisation, arguing that democracy without meaningful opposition would amount to an electoral ritual.
They also stressed that national unity must be based on justice and inclusion, noting that unity could not be achieved by suppressing differences but by guaranteeing justice within diversity.
