Coalition urges opposition to back single presidential candidate
August 2, 2026 2:54 pm
Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar and Rabiu Kwankwaso
A coalition of 100 prominent Nigerians under the banner of the G-100 has said only a united opposition can prevent what it described as the gradual erosion of Nigeria’s democracy and the continued dominance of the ruling All Progressives Congress.
In a seven-page open letter titled, “The doctrine of a necessary democratic Opposition,” dated August 2, 2026, the group urged key opposition figures, including the African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar; the Nigeria Democratic Congress candidate, Peter Obi; former Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi and former Kano State governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and other political leaders, to immediately set aside personal ambitions and negotiate the emergence of a single presidential candidate for the 2027 election.
The letter, signed by former APC National Vice Chairman (North-West), Salihu Lukman, former House of Representatives member, Nnenna Ukeje, ex- Kogi State Deputy Governor Simon Achuba, Professor Anthony Kila and 96 other signatories, argued that Nigeria’s democratic future depends on presenting Nigerians with a credible and united alternative to the current administration.
According to the group, the greatest threat confronting Nigeria is not merely economic hardship but the gradual weakening of democratic institutions through a fragmented opposition and the growing concentration of political power.
“There are seasons in the life of every nation when neutrality becomes a form of consent, and silence becomes an accomplice to decline. Nigeria has entered such a season”, the letter partly stated.
The group declared that the country’s problems extend beyond inflation, unemployment and poverty, insisting that the deeper crisis lies in a political system that rewards loyalty over competence and patronage over public service.
“We have fashioned a political order that too often rewards loyalty over merit, patronage over service, and power over accountability. We should not wonder that such a system produces poverty and misery, for a nation cannot harvest prosperity from institutions that perpetuate poverty and deprivation,” it said.
The G-100 warned that while the ruling APC continues to consolidate power, opposition parties have become distracted by internal rivalries instead of focusing on building a viable electoral alternative.
“The ruling party grows stronger, not only because of its own organisation, but because it has surrendered internal dissent to the authority of the executive.
“At the same time, those entrusted with presenting Nigerians an alternative have become divided by ambition rather than united by purpose. While the executive consolidates power, the opposition fragments,” it lamented.
The coalition stressed that democracy cannot survive without a credible opposition capable of peacefully replacing the government through elections.
It described this principle as the “Doctrine of a necessary democratic opposition.”
The letter further read, “The liberty of a people depends not only upon the existence of government, but upon the certainty that government may be peacefully challenged, corrected and, when necessary, replaced. A government that fears no opposition soon forgets the people. An opposition that cannot oppose soon forgets its purpose.”
The group announced plans to convene a National Council of Opposition Leaders within the next two weeks, where leading opposition politicians, including Atiku, Obi, Kwankwaso, Amaechi, Makinde and ex-Senate President David Mark, as well as former Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola, among others, would be expected to negotiate a common political strategy and commit to producing a single presidential flag bearer.
“We therefore call upon the leaders of the opposition to come together, to negotiate in earnest how the 2027 election shall be prosecuted as a united front.
“Let that negotiation be anchored on the principles of building a cohesive single opposition candidate and a common purpose, a common programme, a common strategy and a common resolve to save Nigeria,” the group stated
The coalition warned that opposition leaders who insist on pursuing individual presidential ambitions risk guaranteeing another victory for President Bola Tinubu.
“Nigeria cannot be rescued by opposition leaders who march separately toward the same defeat. Personal ambition must submit to national necessity, for a people divided at the moment of decision will remain governed by those who profit from that division,” it argued.
According to the G-100, the proposed national meeting will seek to extract what it described as “a solemn covenant” from opposition leaders, placing national interest above personal political aspirations.
It disclosed that the gathering would reaffirm the principles contained in the Ibadan Declaration of April 2026 as the foundation for negotiating a consensus presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 polls.
Dirisu Yakubu is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over a decade of experience covering parliament, politics, and development issues. He specializes in reporting that provides context and insight into legislative and governance matters. Dirisu’s work reflects extensive newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate and impactful journalism.
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