The single sharpest fact in one or two punchy sentences. Who did what, where, when, and why it matters. Not a summary of everything — the one thing that makes someone stop scrolling. The presidential candidates of Accord Party, African Action Congress, AAC, and Social Democratic Party, SDP, have joined forces to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections.

The three presidential candidates, Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim of Accord; Mr. Omoyele Sowore of AAC; and Prince Adewole Adebayo of SDP, reached the resolution after a meeting in Port Harcourt weekend.

At the meeting which held weekend, the candidates deliberated on Nigeria’s democracy, economy and security. They expressed concern over the concentration of political power, weakening of democratic institutions and shrinking space for genuine political competition, warning that Nigeria risked moving from competitive multi-party democracy towards what they described as “a coronation disguised as an election.”

You might remember Omoyele Sowore as a 2019 presidential hopeful. His African Action Congress party has been active in pushing for a more democratic Nigeria since then.

The proposed alliance will seek to mobilise workers, youths, women, professionals, entrepreneurs, civil society organisations and Nigerians across ethnic, religious, regional and political divides.

The leaders consequently resolved to align their political forces towards presenting Nigerians with a joint democratic alternative in 2027. They called for an immediate review of cases involving Nigerians detained or imprisoned over political expression, self-determination advocacy or the peaceful exercise of constitutionally protected rights.

Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, a controversial figure who has been detained for promoting Igbo rights, is among the prisoners the candidates called for the release of.

The candidates also called for an end to what they described as the legal and political persecution of Omoyele Sowore over his political activities.

So, what's the plan for this alliance? The leaders said they would determine the structure, modalities and presidential candidate of the proposed alliance later.

But one thing is for sure: with this move, the 2027 elections in Nigeria are set to become a major battleground for democracy advocates.

While noting that they would they determine the structure, modalities and presidential candidate of the proposed alliance, the opposition candidates said: “The larger national interest must take precedence over individual political ambitions.”

The three candidates called on the international community, democratic governments, regional institutions and international democracy and human-rights organisations to closely monitor Nigeria’s democratic trajectory.

They expressed concern over alleged attempts by individuals within the security architecture, electoral institutions, judiciary, legislature and executive to weaken opposition parties, manipulate public institutions and frustrate genuine political competition.

While rejecting foreign interference in Nigeria’s sovereign affairs, they called for accountability where individuals abuse public office or institutional authority to undermine constitutional democracy.

Nigeria's economy has struggled in recent years. The presidential candidates pointed to the removal of fuel subsidy and currency devaluation as major contributors to rising living costs and economic hardship.

On insecurity, the candidates demanded a proactive national security strategy built around intelligence, technology, adequately equipped security forces, community cooperation, economic opportunity and effective prosecution.

The three candidates pledged to defend Nigeria’s multi-party system and reject political monopolisation. “A democracy without meaningful opposition is merely an electoral ritual,” they said, affirming their commitment to the constitutional right of Nigerians to form political parties, contest elections, disagree with government and offer alternative programmes without intimidation.

And here's how they plan to do it: The proposed alliance will focus on mobilising grassroots support across Nigeria's diverse regions and communities.

They also called for an end to what they described as the legal and political persecution of Omoyele Sowore, the AAC presidential candidate.

The leaders stressed that their position did not necessarily amount to an endorsement of the views or methods of the individuals concerned. “Democratic societies must accommodate dissent and peaceful disagreement,” they said.

The three candidates called on the international community to help monitor Nigeria’s democratic trajectory and ensure that public office is not used to undermine constitutional democracy.

With its diverse ethnic and religious groups, Nigeria is one of the most complex democracies in Africa.