2027: Opposition summit sets agenda to unseat Tinubu

Nigeria’s opposition is heading into a summit in Abuja with an ambitious objective: finding a common political front capable of challenging President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress in 2027.

The meeting, organized by the political pressure group G-100, comes as opposition parties remain divided over alliance arrangements and the choice of a consensus presidential candidate. The Social Democratic Party and Peoples Redemption Party have confirmed they will participate, while the Peoples Democratic Party has ruled itself out.

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Tomorrow’s summit comes at an important moment for Nigeria’s democracy. Across the country, millions of Nigerians are looking to the opposition not merely to criticise the government of the day, but to demonstrate the maturity, discipline and sense of national purpose required to offer a credible alternative.

G-100, led by former Progressives Governors Forum Director-General Salihu Lukman, says a fragmented opposition will struggle against an incumbent party’s organizational and financial advantages. The group has urged participants to set aside differences and approach the summit ready to cooperate.

“Tomorrow’s summit comes at an important moment for Nigeria’s democracy,” Lukman said in a statement. He added that Nigerians were looking for an opposition that could offer a credible alternative, rather than simply criticize the government.

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It simply requires the wisdom to recognise that there are moments when what unites us must become more important than what separates us.

The group acknowledged that the parties have different histories, structures, ambitions and interests. It argued that cooperation would not require any party to surrender those positions. Instead, it said, the parties should recognize when shared interests are more important than their divisions.

G-100 pointed to previous elections in Nigeria and elsewhere as evidence that multiple opposition candidates can divide votes and resources, potentially helping an incumbent retain power. “Division is a choice. Cooperation must now become a strategy,” the group said. SDP spokesman Rufus Aiyenigba confirmed that his party was prepared to work with other Nigerians and political groups seeking an alternative.

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Division is a choice. Cooperation must now become a strategy.