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.

The three, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim of Accord, Omoyele Sowore of AAC and 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.

The proposed alliance, according to a statement made available to our correspondent, by the Acord Party Media Office, is not merely an anti-incumbency arrangement but an attempt to develop a credible governing alternative based on democratic accountability, economic justice, security, institutional reform, social inclusion and national development.

They resolved to continue consultations with other presidential candidates, political parties, organised labour, civil society organisations, professional associations, youth and women’s groups, traditional institutions and religious bodies.

“The 2027 election must be a genuine contest over Nigeria’s future, rather than a predetermined political coronation. Nigeria belongs to its people. Political power belongs to the people. The ballot belongs to the people,” they stated.

The three candidates expressed concern over the concentration of political power, weakening of democratic institutions and shrinking space for genuine political competition in Nigeria, warning that Nigeria risks moving from competitive multi-party democracy towards what they described as “a coronation disguised as an election.”

Consequently, they resolved to align their political forces towards presenting Nigerians with a joint democratic alternative in 2027 adding that 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 three presidential candidates called for an end to what they described as the legal and political persecution of Omoyele Sowore over his political activities and called on the international community and human-rights organisations to closely monitor Nigeria’s democratic trajectory while expressing concern over alleged attempts by individuals within the security, electoral judiciary, legislature and executive to weaken opposition parties.

“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 Movement for Democratic Renewal (MDR) for the South-South and South-East zones was later launched with speakers calling for unity of purpose to rescue the country. (Daily Trust)