2027: We are making progress on single opposition presidential candidate – G100

From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja

The coalition of opposition politicians, on the aegis of G100, has said that it is making progress in its quest to get opposition political parties to field a single presidential candidate in the 2027 general election.

The National Chairman, Social Democratic Party (SDP), Professor Sadiq Umar Gombe, stated this on Wednesday at the inauguration of the coalition media and publicity and legal committees at a strategic meeting.

The strategic meeting had the leaders and representatives of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in attendance.

The G100 has been exploring the possibility of getting Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Seyi Makinde, Donald Duke and Adewale Adebayo, presidential candidates of the ADC, NDC, APM, PRP and SDP, to rally round one of them for the January 16, 2027 presidential contest.

Gombe, who stated that opposition party leaders have been engaging with the candidates, noted that the presidential hopefuls have commenced discussions on possible cooperation before the end of the year.

“Our ambition is to present a candidate that can defeat APC and form the next government. And we’re making very good progress.

“The strength of this coalition will not be measured by the number of parties represented here, but by our unity of purpose, discipline, credibility and commitment to the Nigerian people.

“Today, we take a deliberate step from intention to structure. The work of this coalition will be judged not only by the strength of our convictions, but by the discipline, precision and unity with which we carry it out,” he said.

According to him, the responses from participating parties and presidential candidates had encouraged the coalition, expressing confidence that outstanding issues would be resolved before the 2027 general election.

The legal committee, which comprises national legal advisers of the participating parties and other senior legal representatives, is expected to examine the legal and constitutional implications of the proposed alliance.

On the other hand, the media and publicity committee, comprising National Publicity Secretaries and spokespersons of the presidential campaign councils of participating parties, will coordinate joint messaging, media engagements and public announcements.