Ibadan Declaration: Insiders Disclose Why Peter Obi is Unhappy With Opposition Summit Outcome
- Peter Obi is reportedly unhappy with the Ibadan declaration on a single presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 election
- Obi's concerns arise over the omission of the zoning issue at the opposition summit in Ibadan
- The former Anambra state governor has remained quiet post-summit, indicating his displeasure and exploring alternative political avenues
Legit.ng journalist Adekunle Dada has over 8 years of experience covering metro, government policy, and international issues
FCT, Abuja - The 2027 African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential aspirant, Peter Obi, is reportedly not impressed with the Ibadan declaration to present a single presidential candidate against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The Ibadan declaration was made at the All Opposition Political Party Leaders summit, in the Oyo State capital, on Saturday, April 25, 2026.
Source: Twitter
As reported by TheCable, insiders said Obi left the summit dissatisfied because of what was left unsaid.
Insiders said the long-standing principle of rotating power between the South and the North was not mentioned at the summit.
The summit skirted around the zoning issue, which Obi and many southern stakeholders believe every credible opposition must address.
The sources said the opposition’s plan for a “single candidate” without clarifying where that candidate should come from was a political compromise.
According to the sources, avoiding zoning was the real problem, and the silence was a smokescreen for disagreement.
They argued that without a clear stance on zoning, the talk of unity was just hot air.
“The summit ended politically as it was designed to. They did not achieve what they wanted. It ended without addressing the basic issue.”
“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 sources said the former Anambra state governor’s silence after the opposition summit tells of his displeasure with the outcome.
Obi has not commented publicly on the Ibadan Declaration after the communiqué was released at the end of the summit.
Unlike his usual practice, Obi’s X account has remained conspicuously quiet on the matter days after the event.
Insiders disclosed that Obi is already looking beyond the summit and keeping communication lines open with Kwankwaso.
The sources further stated that Obi is now sticking to his original political calculations and exploring his options pending the Supreme Court judgment on the ADC leadership.
Source: Twitter
Peter Obi holds closed-door meeting with Jonathan
Recall that Peter Obi met with former President Goodluck Jonathan in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to discuss the 2027 elections.
Some South East leaders joined the ADC 2027 presidential aspirant in a closed-door consultation on Nigeria's future.
The former Anambra state governor downplayed endorsement talk, focusing on strategic discussions with Jonathan.
ADC coalition already cracking, APC chieftain says
Meanwhile, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Obidike Chukwuebuka, has dismissed the ADC opposition coalition, describing it as divided and politically overstated ahead of the 2027 elections.
Obidike, in an exclusive chat with Legit.ng, said the much-publicised opposition alliance is already showing signs of internal crisis, particularly over the battle for the presidential ticket.
“First, look at what is happening with this so-called opposition alliance. The grand opposition project assembled under the ADC is already cracking. What was sold to Nigerians as a formidable, unified front is now the scene of a bitter internal war, with Obi and Kwankwaso pitted against Atiku's powerful political machinery in a battle over who controls the presidential ticket. They cannot even agree among themselves! How will they govern Nigeria?” he said.
He also rejected claims that the opposition holds a numerical advantage based on the 2023 election results, arguing that such projections are misleading.
“Second, the numbers they tout are misleading. Yes, collectively, Atiku, Obi, Kwankwaso, and Amaechi received 60.9% of the vote in 2023 against Tinubu's 36.6%, but that was four separate candidates pulling in four different directions. You cannot simply add those votes together. Voters are not arithmetic. People vote for personalities, structures, and delivery, not mathematical mergers,” he added.
The APC chieftain maintained that internal divisions and flawed assumptions about voter behaviour weaken the opposition’s chances, insisting the APC remains better positioned ahead of the 2027 polls.
Peter Obi, Kwankwaso rally Northern leaders against Atiku
Meanwhile, Legit.ng also reported that Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso may pursue a joint presidential ticket for the upcoming 2027 presidential election.
The two men's reported alliance focuses on securing northern support through a one-term power rotation deal.
A newly-formed pro-Obi-Kwankwaso group, 'OK Movement', aims to galvanise support amid Nigeria's lingering challenges.
Source: Legit.ng
Nurudeen Lawal (Head of Politics and Current Affairs Desk) Nurudeen Lawal is an AFP-certified journalist with a wealth of experience spanning over 8 years. He received his B/Arts degree in Literature in English from OAU. Lawal is the Head of the Politics/CA Desk at Legit.ng. He previously worked at Lantern Books and Saraba Magazine. Lawal was named the Political Desk Head of the Year (Nigeria Media Nite-Out Award 2023). Lawal is a member of the Oxford Climate Journalism Network. He is also a certified fact-checker (Dubawa fellowship, 2020). Contact him at lawal.nurudeen@corp.legit.ng or +2348054399455.
Adekunle Dada (Politics and Current Affairs Editor) Adekunle Dada is a trained journalist with over 8 years of working experience. He is also a Politics/Current Affairs Editor at Legit.ng. He holds a B.Sc. in Mass Communication from Lagos State University, Ojo. Adekunle previously worked at PM News, The Sun, and Within Nigeria, where he expressed his journalistic skills with well-researched articles and features. In 2024, Adekunle obtained a certificate in advanced digital reporting from the Google News Initiative. He can be reached via adekunle.dada@corp.legit.ng.
