A political group, The G-100, has called for greater cooperation among opposition political parties, insisting that the challenges confronting Nigeria require serious engagement across party lines as political leaders explore a common approach ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The group made the position known as leaders of six opposition parties held consultations with five presidential candidates, including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, amid efforts to strengthen opposition cooperation and consider the possibility of presenting a joint candidate against President Bola Tinubu.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Salihu Lukman said the consultations were part of efforts to implement resolutions reached at the G-100’s recent Opposition Summit, which called for sustained dialogue and a coordinated approach among opposition parties.
Lukman stressed that Nigeria’s political and economic challenges required leaders to prioritise national interests, citizens’ welfare and electoral credibility over individual and party ambitions.
“At the heart of this process is the conviction that the challenges confronting Nigeria demand serious engagement across party lines. Nigerians deserve political leaders who are prepared to place the country’s future, the wellbeing of its citizens and the credibility of its elections above narrow interests,” he said.
The consultations brought together national chairmen and national secretaries of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Social Democratic Party (SDP), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Peoples Redemption Party (PRP).
The party leaders met with five presidential candidates: Atiku Abubakar of the ADC, Peter Obi of the NDC, Seyi Makinde of the APM, Adewole Adebayo of the SDP and Donald Duke of the PRP.
According to Lukman, the engagements are intended to create an opportunity for opposition stakeholders to identify shared priorities, discuss possible areas of collaboration and develop a framework for working together before the 2027 elections.
“These engagements are being undertaken in furtherance of the resolutions of the G100 Opposition Summit, which called for sustained dialogue, stronger cooperation and a coordinated approach among opposition parties in defence of multiparty democracy and the interests of the Nigerian people.”
He described the meetings as an important step towards translating the summit’s resolutions into practical action, adding that the discussions would allow party leaders and presidential candidates to consider the arrangements necessary to advance a common democratic agenda.
“The consultations represent a practical step towards giving effect to those resolutions. They provide an opportunity for party leaders and presidential candidates to deliberate on the framework for opposition cooperation, identify areas of common ground and consider the steps necessary to advance a shared democratic agenda ahead of 2027.”
Lukman further disclosed that the consultations were still ongoing, with additional engagements expected to build on the resolutions reached at the summit.
“The consultations remain ongoing. Further engagements will build on the G100 resolutions and the commitment to an opposition that is organised, responsible and capable of working together in the national interest,” Lukman stated.
The discussions form part of broader efforts by opposition stakeholders to explore cooperation ahead of the 2027 presidential election, although no agreement on a single opposition candidate was announced in the statement.
