Ahead of the 2027 general election, the idea of a single opposition presidential candidate has been plagued by uncertainty, with political parties voicing differing opinions.
The development followed a call by the Group of 100 Nigerians, led by former All Progressives Congress chieftain Salisu Lukman, for opposition presidential candidates and political leaders to close ranks and present a common candidate against President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
The group had urged former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress, Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, and their respective running mates, Rotimi Amaechi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, as well as other opposition candidates, to subordinate individual interests to the broader objective of defeating the APC-led Federal Government in 2027.
The G-100 argued that a divided opposition, regardless of its numerical strength, would struggle to defeat the ruling party, making a single presidential candidacy necessary to consolidate opposition votes.
Lukman, earlier in the week, announced the convocation of an opposition summit in Abuja on August 18, signalling the group’s determination to advance the proposal and bring the various opposition tendencies to the negotiating table.
However, indications that the proposal may face difficulties have emerged from some of the parties and political movements expected to participate in the process.
In an exclusive interview with The PUNCH, the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication to ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Mr Phrank Shaibu, came short of confirming his principal’s attendance at the proposed summit, noting that a word to that effect would be made public.
He said, “His Excellency Atiku Abubakar welcomes every genuine initiative aimed at strengthening democratic opposition and providing Nigerians with a credible alternative to the Tinubu administration.
“His attendance at the August 18 summit will, however, be communicated once his schedule and participation are finalized.”
He also lauded the G-100 initiative, saying, “His Excellency has consistently maintained that the challenges confronting Nigeria require opposition parties, leaders and citizens of goodwill to put the national interest above individual or partisan considerations. There is considerable merit in building the broadest possible democratic coalition ahead of 2027.
“What is most important is that any process towards achieving that objective must be transparent, inclusive, and democratic, and ultimately produce a candidate capable of earning the confidence of Nigerians.”
On the proposal for a single opposition candidate to confront Tinubu, the ADC candidate was rather evasive, noting, however, that he’s in consultation “with political leaders and stakeholders across the opposition.”
Such engagements, he noted, “are normal and necessary at this stage. The objective is bigger than any individual: to strengthen the opposition, protect our democracy and present Nigerians with a credible alternative to an administration that has failed to meet their expectations.”
He added that “At the appropriate time, the outcome of these consultations will be made public.”
On its part, the Obidient Movement, the support base of the NDC candidate, said an invitation had been extended to Obi to attend the proposed summit but stressed that the decision ultimately rested with him.
The National Coordinator of the movement, Tanko Yunusa, disclosed this in an interview with The PUNCH.
He said, “An invitation has been sent to him. We will see whether he will attend or not. It is left for him to decide on whether to go to such a meeting.”
Yunusa, however, acknowledged the desirability of opposition cooperation, saying, “We agree that it is very good for everyone in the opposition to come together under one umbrella.”
He said he could not confirm whether Atiku had separately contacted Obi over the proposed summit.
The Labour Party, meanwhile, welcomed the principle of opposition collaboration but took a more assertive position, arguing that any coalition seeking to defeat the APC should be built around its existing structure rather than create another political platform.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ken Asogwa, said the Labour Party appreciated “the need for broad-based collaboration among opposition forces to democratically unseat the ruling All Progressives Congress,” but maintained that its platform was already the strongest opposition vehicle for a presidential contest.
