A presidential aspirant on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, has called for a united opposition front ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking on the sidelines of a national opposition summit in Ibadan, Oyo State, Hayatu-Deen said the scale of Nigeria’s current challenges requires a coordinated response that goes beyond individual parties or ambitions.

Hayatu-Deen warned that continued fragmentation within opposition ranks could weaken efforts to present a credible alternative to voters.

“Nigeria is at a defining moment,” he said, pointing to concerns over insecurity, rising cost of living and pressures on democratic institutions.

He added that opposition leaders must demonstrate “collaboration, sacrifice and shared purpose” to meet public expectations.

During the summit, Hayatu-Deen held consultations with several prominent political figures, including Governor Seyi Makinde, who hosted the gathering, as well as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 elections Peter Obi and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi.

He also engaged with summit conveners Jerry Gana and Kashim Imam, in what he described as efforts to build momentum towards broader alignment.

Hayatu-Deen said the 2027 elections present an opportunity to reset Nigeria’s trajectory but cautioned that success would depend on whether opposition leaders prioritise national interest over partisan considerations.

“Nigerians are looking for leadership that is empathetic, unifying and capable of delivering real change,” he said.

He reiterated his commitment to working within the ADC and alongside other stakeholders to build a coalition focused on improving security, stabilising the economy and restoring public trust.