Atiku, Obi, Kwankwaso, Amaechi absent from Abuja summit
Opposition political parties and stakeholders have constituted five specialised committees to develop a framework for producing a consensus presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 general election.
The committees are expected to submit their reports within 30 days, after which another consultative meeting will be held to consider their recommendations.
The decision was reached at a summit in Abuja on Monday, convened by the civil society group, G-100, in collaboration with the Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives.
Five Committees Constituted
The committees will work on the National Covenant for Democratic Renewal, Single-Term Transition Charter, National Reform Programme, Framework for Opposition Unity, and Roadmap to a Common Presidential Candidate.
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House Minority Caucus Leader, Afam Ogene, who read the communiqué issued after the meeting, said the participants agreed to begin a structured negotiation process ahead of the 2027 elections.
“We agreed, as national chairmen and principal leaders of our respective parties, to commit to a structured process of negotiation on the framework for opposition cooperation ahead of the 2027 general election,” Ogene said.
He said the agreement was aimed at addressing major challenges confronting the country, including insecurity, rising cost of living and unemployment.
Major Opposition Figures Absent
The summit was not attended by some of the major opposition figures expected to participate in the proposed alliance.
African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Peter Obi, were absent.
Their running mates, Rotimi Amaechi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, were also not at the meeting.
However, Social Democratic Party presidential candidate, Adewole Adebayo, and his running mate, Usman Bugaje, attended the summit.
Also present were Peoples Redemption Party presidential candidate, Donald Duke; Democratic Leadership Alliance candidate, Moses Olusola; and Allied Peoples Movement vice-presidential candidate, Lawal Daura.
Three Coalition Organs Approved
The participants also agreed to establish three standing coalition organs to coordinate the proposed opposition alliance.
They include a central leadership committee, which will serve as the political arbiter; a publicity and communication committee for joint messaging; and a legal committee responsible for preparing constitutional and legal instruments.
Lukman Warns Opposition Against Division
G-100 Director-General and former Director-General of the Progressives Governors’ Forum, Salihu Lukman, warned that continued division among opposition parties could give the ruling All Progressives Congress an advantage in the 2027 election.
“It is unfortunate that the opposition has repeatedly contested presidential elections in pieces, allowing the ruling party to benefit from the division of opposition votes,” Lukman said.
He urged the opposition parties to focus on agreeing on clear procedures instead of fighting over individual candidates.
Nigeria is in Pain- Agbedi
House Minority Leader, Frederick Agbedi, urged political leaders to place the economic hardship facing Nigerians above their personal ambitions.
“Nigeria is in pain. Nigeria is suffering. If we are united, what the APC did in 2015, we can repeat it. For us, there is no issue of a preferred candidate,” Agbedi said.
ADC National Vice-Chairman (South-South), Usani U. Usani, who led the party’s delegation to the summit, called for a united effort to defeat the APC in 2027.
“This project (APC’s defeat) is possible, and it is a case of now or never,” Usani said.
‘No Party Alone Can Defeat APC’- Baba-Ahmed
PRP National Chairman, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, said no single opposition party could defeat the APC without cooperation with others.
“No party alone can defeat the APC,” he said, describing the coalition initiative as “a genuine sign of hope for Nigerians.”
Former Niger State Governor, Babangida Aliyu, said personal and financial interests had taken precedence over national interest for too long.
He urged the G-100 leadership to extend the initiative to the state and local government levels to enable opposition supporters at the grassroots to participate.
SDP National Chairman, Sadiq Gombe, said the political situation required an urgent national response.
“The political situation requires an urgent national rescue effort. In 2023, opposition candidates collectively secured over two-thirds of the total votes cast,” he said.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.