There was an air of cautious optimism on Saturday when opposition heavyweights gathered in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, for what many had billed as a defining moment ahead of the 2027 elections.

The All Opposition Political Party Leaders summit, chaired by former President Olusegun Obasanjo and hosted by Seyi Makinde, Oyo governor, brought together former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, Rabiu Kwankwaso (former governor of Kano), Rotimi Amaechi (former governor of Rivers), Peter Obi (former governor of Anambra), and other leaders.

By the end of the summit, a communiqué — now dubbed the “Ibadan Declaration” — announced a resolution to field a single presidential candidate in the 2027 elections.

At first glance, it looked like a major step toward unity, aimed at unseating President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.

But beneath that show of unity, cracks are already beginning to emerge.

Insiders told TheCable that Obi left the summit dissatisfied — not because of what was said — but because of what was left unsaid.

At the heart of his concern is zoning, the long-standing principle of rotating power between Nigeria’s regions. For Obi and many southern stakeholders, any credible opposition arrangement must explicitly address this issue.

Insiders say Obi’s silence after the opposition summit tells of his displeasure with the outcome.

Unlike his usual practice, the former Anambra governor has not commented publicly on the Ibadan Declaration. His verified X account, often active with updates from political engagements, has remained conspicuously quiet on the matter days after the event.

Instead, Obi posted photos of himself playing tennis in Ibadan — a subtle but striking contrast to the unfolding political drama.

“If they had gone further to say that the opposition would respect zoning, it would have been a different outcome. They only made a political statement for one candidate. The summit is as good as not achieving anything,” the source said.

Insiders further told TheCable that Obi is already looking beyond the summit, sticking to his original political calculations and exploring his options pending the supreme court judgement on the ADC leadership, while also keeping communication lines open with Kwankwaso.

Effectively, while the Ibadan summit projected unity, key players appear to be quietly pursuing parallel strategies.

The opposition may have agreed in principle to present a single candidate, but without resolving the deeper questions of zoning, ambition, and trust, that goal remains distant.