Ibadan declaration: How Obi left summit unhappy over zoning concerns

Cautious optimism followed a high-profile opposition gathering in Ibadan, Oyo State, where major political figures met to chart a path ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The summit, chaired by former President Olusegun Obasanjo and hosted by Governor Seyi Makinde, brought together key figures including Atiku Abubakar, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Rotimi Amaechi, and Peter Obi, alongside other opposition leaders.

At the end of the meeting, participants adopted a resolution, the “Ibadan Declaration”, committing to field a single presidential candidate to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.

However, despite the appearance of unity, sources say deep disagreements over zoning and power rotation remain unresolved.

According to insiders, the issue of zoning — the informal arrangement of rotating Nigeria’s presidency between regions — was not clearly addressed in the communiqué, creating dissatisfaction within key camps.

Sources claimed that Peter Obi was particularly uneasy with the outcome, insisting that any viable opposition coalition must clearly define its position on regional balance.

The absence of clarity on whether a northern or southern candidate would emerge reportedly left critical questions unanswered, especially given the presidential ambitions of northern politicians such as Atiku Abubakar.

Some southern stakeholders, including Obi and Rotimi Amaechi, are said to favour a southern candidacy, arguing that equity and political trust depend on adherence to zoning principles.

Despite the agreement on a joint candidate in principle, observers say the silence on zoning exposes underlying fractures that could weaken the opposition’s unity ahead of 2027.

Following the summit, Obi has not made any public statement on the Ibadan Declaration, a departure from his usual post-engagement commentary. Instead, he was seen sharing more personal updates, including leisure activities, which some political observers interpreted as a sign of distance from the outcome.

Meanwhile, insiders suggest that behind-the-scenes consultations are ongoing, with different blocs continuing discussions on strategy, alliances, and leadership structure.

Although the Ibadan meeting projected a united front, analysts say the unresolved zoning question remains a major obstacle to translating political agreement into a functional coalition capable of challenging the APC in 2027.

Credit: The Cable.

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