ABUJA: Efforts to forge a stronger opposition alliance ahead of the 2027 general election have gathered momentum, with prominent opposition figures including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rabiu Kwankwaso and Seyi Makinde expected to be part of ongoing consultations aimed at building a united political front.
The development was disclosed by the G100, a coalition of concerned Nigerians that said it had completed the first phase of consultations with leaders of major opposition parties.
According to the group, the consultations are part of efforts to encourage opposition parties to overcome their differences and develop a coordinated strategy ahead of the 2027 elections.
In a statement issued on Monday and signed by Salihu Moh. Lukman on behalf of the G100, the coalition said it had engaged leaders of several opposition parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
The group said its consultations involved national chairmen, presidential candidates and running mates of the political parties.
It described the discussions as frank, constructive and encouraging, saying the meetings had helped open conversations about the possibility of greater cooperation among opposition parties.
The consultations followed an August 2, 2026, open letter addressed to opposition leaders, civil society groups, leaders of thought and other Nigerians, in which the G100 outlined what it described as the Doctrine of Necessary Democratic Opposition.
The G100 said the next major step in the process would be an Opposition Parties Summit scheduled for Tuesday, August 18, 2026, in Abuja.
The summit is expected to provide a platform for opposition parties to discuss practical ways of working together ahead of the 2027 presidential and other elections.
The coalition, however, stressed that it was not seeking to dictate the outcome of the discussions.
Rather, it said its role was to facilitate dialogue, build trust among the political parties and create an environment where difficult issues surrounding cooperation, compromise and collective action could be addressed.
According to the group, its consultations revealed a growing recognition among opposition parties that a credible challenge in 2027 would require the various political interests to make sacrifices and compromise.
The G100 said opposition leaders must be willing to place the broader interests of Nigeria above individual ambitions and narrow party considerations.
It argued that a fragmented opposition could weaken the ability of Nigerians seeking an alternative political platform to effectively challenge the ruling establishment.
The coalition maintained that Nigeria’s democracy would be strengthened if voters were presented with a credible and competitive alternative capable of effectively seeking their mandate.
The G100 said any political arrangement that eventually emerges from the ongoing discussions must accommodate the legitimate interests of participating parties while ensuring that the interests of Nigerians remain the overriding consideration.
It also acknowledged that achieving opposition unity would not be easy, stressing that the process would require patience, courage and political sacrifice.
“The consultations of the past week represent only the beginning,” the group said, while reaffirming its commitment to facilitating dialogue among Nigeria’s major opposition parties and political leaders.
The planned summit comes as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general election, with opposition figures and political parties exploring possible alliances and coalition arrangements.
Whether the ongoing consultations will eventually produce a single opposition platform, a coordinated alliance or another form of electoral cooperation remains to be seen.
For now, the August 18 summit represents another significant step in the growing efforts to bring major opposition forces together ahead of the 2027 elections
