Former presidential spokesman, Laolu Akande, has said the recent opposition summit in Ibadan was a bold and commendable political initiative, but failed to seize what he described as a historic opportunity to reinforce Nigeria’s rotational presidency principle ahead of the 2027 elections.

Speaking on a live programme, Akande observed that the gathering of opposition heavyweights in Ibadan, Oyo State, represented a positive step for Nigeria’s democracy, particularly in preserving political plurality and offering Nigerians meaningful electoral choices.

“I think the idea of having the gladiators in the opposition coming together to construct a united platform is good for our country, regardless of the other intrigues and contradictions,” Akande said.

“It’s good to say that Nigerians deserve a choice in the elections. We don’t want a one-party… I don’t think we will go to one party anyway,” he added.

The former Senior Special Assistant to ex-Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, however, argued that the opposition coalition stopped short of making what could have been a defining political statement by openly affirming the rotational presidency arrangement.

According to him, the summit should have gone beyond coalition politics to declare support for the continuation of power in Southern Nigeria, in line with what he described as an emerging national consensus.

“But I think they lost the opportunity to actually do what should have taken the matter a little bit forward — to say that we believe the rotational principle of the presidency at this time has become a national consensus,” Akande stated.

He argued that a clear commitment to power rotation would help lower ethnic tensions often associated with presidential contests and strengthen national unity.

Akande lauded Governor Seyi Makinde for convening and hosting the summit, describing the move as courageous and politically strategic.

Despite the commendation, the ex-presidential aide maintained that the summit missed a crucial opportunity to send a stronger political signal to the country by endorsing a southern presidential candidate to challenge President Bola Tinubu in 2027.