Efforts by the G-100 to produce a consensus presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 election may be facing fresh hurdles as the presidential candidates of the African Democratic Congress, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar; the Nigeria Democratic Congress, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi; and the Allied Peoples’ Movement, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, have maintained their presidential ambitions.
A member of the G-100, a coalition of political groups and stakeholders advocating a united opposition front, Ambassador Umanu Elijah, however, expressed confidence that consultations would be concluded and an agreement reached on a consensus candidate by September 30.
The push appears to have met resistance from the camps of Atiku, Obi and Makinde, with none of the three indicating that he is prepared to withdraw from the race in favour of another aspirant. Rather, they have continued to project themselves as viable candidates, fuelling uncertainty over the possibility of a single-ticket arrangement.
Meanwhile, the African Action Congress, DLA, Allied Peoples’ Movement and Action Democratic Party, among others, have rejected suggestions that their presidential candidates would step down for another aspirant.
The development has further complicated efforts to achieve a broad opposition consensus, with the parties insisting on retaining their candidates ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The opposition leaders, in their bid to foster unity among stakeholders ahead of the 2027 elections, recently convened at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja for the G-100 Alliance Summit.
The meeting brought together representatives of six opposition political parties to discuss possible areas of cooperation ahead of the general elections.
The summit was part of broader efforts by opposition parties to forge a common platform for collaboration and build a formidable political force capable of mounting a strong challenge to the ruling All Progressives Congress and its candidate, President Bola Tinubu.
Elijah, in an exclusive interview with The PUNCH, said the G-100 was working towards selecting a consensus presidential candidate from among the opposition parties ahead of the 2027 election.
He said consultations were ongoing behind the scenes, expressing confidence that the group would reach an agreement before the end of September and subsequently seek the support of other candidates and political parties.
Elijah stated, “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.
“Recall that yesterday (Monday), Mr Peter Obi visited the Allied Peoples’ Movement presidential candidate, Seyi Makinde. This is the conversation the G-100 is driving. Meetings are going on behind the scenes, and I am sure that before the end of this month, we would have settled on a consensus candidate that we will ask other candidates and parties to support. This is the situation for now.”
The media aide to the former Vice-President, Paul Ibe, declined to comment on the matter.
However, a trusted ally of Atiku said the former Vice-President was not opposed to an alliance, arguing that the opposition coalition had given birth to the ADC.
The source stated, “Those who are now talking about coalition and alliance are only beginning to realise that Atiku is ahead of them. He thought about this quite a long time ago and came up with the idea. He did not just stop there; political stakeholders from across the country and different political parties were consulted, and that is why we have the ADC today.
“That is why leaders from different political parties came together and adopted the ADC as the platform for the opposition leaders’ coalition ahead of the 2027 election. Atiku Abubakar is now the candidate, while others are still talking about coalition, alliance and the G-100.
“Of course, as a statesman, he is open to discussions. Atiku has been engaging with any leaders who meet with him, so he remains open to dialogue. But Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is going to contest the 2027 election. Those who understand the situation in the country and believe that only Atiku has the capacity to do it will rally around him from the other political parties.”
When contacted, the APM National Publicity Secretary, Abubakar Yusuf, told The PUNCH in an exclusive interview that the party’s presidential candidate, Seyi Makinde, remained firmly in the 2027 race and was contesting to win, rather than merely to participate.
Yusuf said although discussions on a possible opposition consensus were ongoing, Makinde had not stepped down for any candidate and could still emerge as the consensus choice.
He stated, “Well, you have heard from the candidate during the commissioning of the APC presidential campaign headquarters. You heard from the candidate, the national leader of the party, the chairman of the party, and even the vice-presidential candidate.
“The Governor of Oyo State, who is the flag bearer of our party, is not in the race to take Nigerians for a ride, or for a joke, comedy or fun. He is in the race to win. He is contesting to win the 2027 election.
“Yes, we know we have stakeholders in the G-100, but of course, discussions are ongoing. What makes you think Makinde will not be adopted as the consensus candidate? For now, all I can tell you is that His Excellency, the Oyo State Governor and candidate of our party, is in the contest to win. He has not stepped down for anybody.”
The NDC National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, said the party was open to discussions on a consensus presidential candidate for the opposition, stressing that its candidate remained one of the strongest contenders and had a strong chance of emerging as the preferred choice.
He stated, “Our party, in line with the Nigerian Constitution, has the right to associate with any individual member, group or association in the country. It is in exercising this right that you see our candidate associating with other candidates across party lines.
“As a party, it is part of our principle that there is a need for us to come together. However, coming together does not mean that we do not have what it takes to win the election. Our presidential candidate is a popular and credible candidate.
“NDC is ready to participate in discussions about a single candidate for the opposition parties. We are ready and are already participating in discussions about the need to have a consensus candidate or a single candidate, especially because we believe that our candidate is one of the best among all the other aspirants and has a strong chance of emerging as the consensus candidate.”
On his part, the African Action Congress presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, rejected calls for opposition politicians to unite behind a single presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Sowore said a single candidate without a shared ideology, clear programme and commitment to fundamental reforms would amount to another elite arrangement that would not address Nigeria’s challenges.
He stated this while responding to questions on whether he would step down if opposition politicians reached an agreement on a consensus presidential candidate.
Sowore said, “I do not subscribe to the idea that Nigeria’s problem can be solved simply by gathering opposition politicians together and producing a so-called ‘single candidate.’ The real question is: united around what?”
He argued that political cooperation should be anchored on a common ideology and a clear development agenda, rather than merely seeking to dislodge the ruling All Progressives Congress.
“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,” he said.
According to him, the AAC and its supporters were seeking a fundamental transformation of the country rather than simply replacing one set of politicians with another.
“The African Action Congress and our movement are not in this struggle merely to remove the APC and replace it with another collection of politicians who have participated in creating the same problems,” Sowore added.
He said his movement was campaigning for economic justice, decent wages, free and quality education, universal healthcare, uninterrupted electricity, affordable housing, improved security and accountable governance.
On whether he would withdraw from the presidential race to support a consensus opposition candidate, Sowore said he would not surrender what he described as the aspirations of millions of Nigerians to an elite political arrangement.
“So, would I step down simply because some opposition politicians approached me and said they had agreed on a single candidate? No. I would not surrender the aspirations of millions of Nigerians for an elite political arrangement,” he said.
Similarly, the presidential campaign spokesperson for the Democratic Leadership Alliance, Tosin Odeyemi, said the party did not support the single-candidate arrangement.
“No. We don’t subscribe to a single presidential candidate and our candidate won’t be stepping down,” Odeyemi said.
The Young Progressives Party presidential candidate, Peter Agada, however, said he could consider such an arrangement if it was based on a clear ideology and development framework.
Agada said a consensus candidate would only be acceptable if the arrangement was designed to transfer political power to the grassroots and strengthen the economy.
“Available only if driven by ideology, a development framework and architecture that takes power to the wards, plus ramp up the micro-economy the way the macro economy is right now,” he said.
The Action Democratic Party National Chairman, Yabbagi Sani, said the party would not withdraw its presidential candidate for any other contender, arguing that reconciling the interests, policies and programmes of multiple opposition parties within a short period would be difficult.
He said the ADP would instead welcome candidates willing to step down and support its flag bearer.
Sani stated, “The ADP has its own presidential candidate. Elections are about interests, so how do you align the interests of multiple individuals and political parties within the shortest possible time? We have our policies, programmes and manifesto.
“Our candidate is not stepping down for anybody. Rather, we will appreciate and welcome those who are ready to step down and work for our candidate.”
Source: punchng.com
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