From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
A group of opposition politicians under the aegis of G-100 has intensified consultations with opposition parties and stakeholders towards presenting a single presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.
The group said it had commenced discussions with opposition leaders following its open letter to leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), civil society organisations and other stakeholders on the need for a united opposition.
The G-100, in a statement by one of its conveners, Salihu Lukman, said representatives of the group had held consultations with the leadership of the ADC, NDC, APM, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) and Social Democratic Party (SDP).
According to Lukman, the consultations involved national chairmen, presidential candidates and running mates of some of the parties.
He said the discussions had shown broad agreement among opposition leaders on the need for greater cooperation ahead of the 2027 elections.
“Across these conversations, there has been a clear recognition of the need for Nigeria’s opposition parties to work more closely together ahead of the 2027 general elections,” he said.
Lukman said the opposition leaders also acknowledged that building an effective opposition would require sacrifice, compromise and the willingness to place the interests of the country above partisan and individual considerations.
He said the G-100 was encouraged by the convergence of views but noted that the goodwill needed to be translated into a practical framework for cooperation.
He said this was necessary to give effect to the principles of the Ibadan Declaration, particularly the proposition that the opposition should find a credible pathway towards presenting a united and competitive alternative in the 2027 elections.
To advance the process, the group said it was preparing for a Summit of Opposition Parties scheduled for August 18, 2026, in Abuja.
Lukman said the summit would provide a platform for the participating parties to begin discussions on the modalities for achieving greater opposition unity.
He said the G-100 would not dictate the outcome of the discussions but would facilitate dialogue, build confidence and create an environment for the parties to consider issues of cooperation, sacrifice, accommodation and collective action.
“Any framework that emerges must recognise the legitimate interests and concerns of all participating parties while ensuring that the overriding consideration remains the interests of the Nigerian people,” he said.
Lukman said the group was working with representatives of the political parties to finalise arrangements for the summit.
He said the process would be inclusive and based on mutual respect, adding that sustainable political cooperation could not be imposed but must be negotiated and collectively owned.
The G-100 had, in an August 2 open letter to opposition leaders, leaders of thought, civil society organisations and Nigerians, advocated what it described as a “Doctrine of Necessary Democratic Opposition.”
The group argued that a united opposition was necessary to effectively challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections.
Lukman said the central argument of the doctrine remained that Nigeria’s democracy would be strengthened by providing voters with a credible alternative capable of competing effectively for their mandate.
“At this critical moment in our national journey, fragmentation among those seeking to provide that alternative serves neither the opposition nor the Nigerian people,” he said.
(The Sun)