The G-100 coalition's push to unite Nigeria's opposition behind a single presidential candidate for the 2027 election has hit significant resistance, with camps loyal to Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Seyi Makinde all indicating they intend to stay in the race.
Opposition Summit in Abuja
The G-100, a coalition of political groups and stakeholders, recently brought together representatives of six parties at the Shehu Musa Yar'Adua Centre in Abuja for what was billed as a major opposition summit. The gathering aimed to build a common platform capable of challenging President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress in 2027.
Despite the summit, G-100 member Ambassador Umanu Elijah said no single candidate had been adopted yet, describing the process as gradual. As reported by The Punch, he said that consultations were continuing in the background and that he expected an agreement to be reached before the end of September.
"We had our first summit recently in Abuja with the opposition political parties and their presidential candidates. It is important to note that this is a gradual process. We have not adopted a single candidate yet, but that is the goal," Elijah said.
Opposition Camps Hold Firm
A close ally of Atiku, speaking anonymously, argued that the former Vice-President had already anticipated the need for coalition-building and was the architect of the African Democratic Congress, which he now leads as its presidential candidate. The source said Atiku remained open to dialogue but would contest the election regardless.
The Allied Peoples' Movement's National Publicity Secretary, Abubakar Yusuf, said Makinde was in the race to win outright, not to serve as a placeholder. He added that Makinde could himself emerge as the consensus pick and had not stepped down for anyone.
The Nigeria Democratic Congress Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, said the party was open to discussions but believed its candidate, Peter Obi, was among the strongest contenders and had a realistic chance of being chosen as the agreed candidate.
Rejections from Smaller Parties
African Action Congress candidate Omoyele Sowore was the most direct in his rejection, arguing that uniting behind one candidate without a shared ideology would produce nothing more than another elite power arrangement.
"A single candidate without a common ideology, a clear programme and a commitment to fundamentally change Nigeria is merely another elite arrangement designed to change the occupants of power while preserving the system that has failed our people," Sowore said. He confirmed he would not step down under such conditions.
The Democratic Leadership Alliance's campaign spokesperson, Tosin Odeyemi, was equally blunt: "No. We don't subscribe to a single presidential candidate and our candidate won't be stepping down."
The Action Democratic Party chairman, Yabbagi Sani, said his party's candidate would not be withdrawing either, though the ADP would welcome any rivals who chose to rally behind its flag bearer instead.
Young Progressives Party candidate Peter Agada offered the only conditional openness, saying he could consider a consensus arrangement if it was built around a clear development framework and a genuine transfer of power to the grassroots.
Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that Lagos APC chieftain Ibraheem Alao Megida dismissed opposition parties' chances in the 2027 presidential election. Megida said appeals by opposition politicians to US President Donald Trump would not change APC's political fortunes.
