Opposition politicians and members of the House of Representatives have intensified efforts to build a united political front ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with a coalition pushing parties to adopt a single candidate capable of challenging President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The initiative was championed by the G-100 coalition, led by its convener and former Director-General of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Salihu Lukman, during a meeting with the House of Representatives Minority Caucus on Tuesday.
Lukman warned that continued division among opposition parties could hand the APC another electoral advantage, similar to what happened in the 2023 presidential election.
“As opposition parties, we seem to be fragmented. And if we continue the way we are going, we are almost going to replay the 2023 scenario,” Lukman said.
He argued that opposition leaders must be willing to put aside personal ambitions and negotiate in the national interest, insisting that Nigeria could not afford another four years under the APC.
“We feel, given the situation the country is facing today, the country cannot afford another four years of APC government,” he stated.
According to Lukman, the G-100 was created to facilitate discussions among opposition parties and encourage them to agree on a common strategy for the 2027 election.
He disclosed that the group had already held consultations with leaders of six opposition parties — the African Democratic Congress (ADC), New Nigeria Democratic Party (NDC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Action Peoples Movement (APM), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) and Social Democratic Party (SDP).
The consultations, he said, included presidential candidates, running mates and national chairmen, with the coalition presenting the argument that a united opposition would stand a better chance of defeating the APC.
Lukman said the response from the parties had been encouraging, prompting the coalition to schedule a national opposition summit for August 31.
He appealed to other political stakeholders, including lawmakers, to join the process and help build what he described as a strong and credible opposition alliance.
“This is not about us; it’s about the country,” Lukman said, urging political leaders to “join hands together” and work towards a common front for the 2027 election.
The House Minority Leader, Fred Agbedi, expressed the caucus’s support for the initiative, saying lawmakers had also been holding consultations with opposition parties and presidential contenders.
“When we saw the G100, it matched our position. And so, this is a marriage of confidence,” Agbedi said.
He added that the Minority Caucus was prepared to participate in the technical committee established to advance the opposition-unity agenda.
According to Agbedi, lawmakers were determined to help create a formidable opposition ahead of the 2027 polls, describing the ultimate objective as an effort to “work together to salvage Nigeria.”
Former House member Sergius Ogun also backed the proposal, arguing that a united opposition could pose a serious challenge to President Tinubu.
“The weakest of us can defeat this President (Tinubu), but it will be sweeter if we come together,” Ogun said.
The latest development highlights growing efforts within Nigeria’s opposition political space to overcome longstanding divisions and agree on a common presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 general election.
With the opposition summit scheduled for August 31, attention is expected to focus on whether the various parties can overcome competing ambitions and reach an agreement on a single candidate and broader electoral strategy.
