Efforts by the G-100 alliance to produce a consensus presidential candidate for the 2027 election have encountered fresh challenges, with prominent opposition candidates Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi and Seyi Makinde maintaining their bids for the presidency.
Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress and Makinde of the Allied Peoples’ Movement have not indicated any intention to withdraw from the race in favour of another aspirant.
The development has raised questions about the possibility of opposition parties eventually settling on a single presidential candidate to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress and President Bola Tinubu.
The G-100, a coalition of opposition political groups and stakeholders pushing for greater cooperation ahead of the election, says discussions on a consensus candidate are still ongoing.
Ambassador Umanu Elijah, a member of the group, said the alliance was confident of concluding its consultations and arriving at a preferred candidate by September 30.
Elijah said the group had already held its first summit with opposition parties and presidential candidates at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja.
According to him, the objective is to select one candidate from among the opposition contenders and subsequently persuade other parties and aspirants to support the choice.
He described the process as gradual, stressing that no candidate had yet been formally adopted.
Although Atiku’s media aide, Paul Ibe, declined to comment, an ally of the former vice-president said Atiku remained open to discussions but would contest the 2027 presidential election.
The source argued that Atiku had been involved in efforts to establish a broader opposition coalition long before the latest G-100 initiative.
According to the ally, the formation of the ADC represented part of the wider effort to provide a platform for opposition politicians seeking to work together ahead of 2027.
The source maintained that Atiku was willing to engage with other political leaders but would not abandon his presidential ambition.
The ally also expressed confidence that politicians and supporters who believe Atiku has the capacity to challenge the ruling party would eventually rally behind him.
The APM has also rejected suggestions that its presidential candidate, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, is preparing to withdraw from the race.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Abubakar Yusuf, said Makinde was contesting the election with the intention of winning.
Yusuf acknowledged that discussions were taking place within the opposition but said Makinde could still emerge as the consensus candidate.
He maintained that the governor had not stepped down for any aspirant.
The APM spokesman argued that the fact that consensus discussions were underway did not mean Makinde could not eventually become the candidate adopted by the wider opposition.
The NDC has taken a more open position on the possibility of a consensus arrangement.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, said the NDC was participating in discussions about producing a single opposition candidate.
However, he stressed that the party believed Peter Obi remained one of the strongest contenders in the race and could emerge as the preferred candidate.
Director said cooperation with other political actors was consistent with the party’s principles and constitutional rights.
He added that the NDC was prepared to engage in discussions aimed at achieving opposition unity while continuing to project Obi as a credible presidential contender.
The African Action Congress presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, rejected the idea of automatically producing a single opposition candidate.
Sowore argued that simply bringing opposition politicians together would not solve Nigeria’s problems without an agreed ideology, programme and reform agenda.
He questioned what a proposed alliance would be united around, warning that a single candidate without a shared political vision could simply replace one group of political elites with another.
Sowore said the AAC was campaigning for what he described as fundamental political and economic transformation.
His priorities, according to the candidate, include economic justice, better wages, quality education, universal healthcare, reliable electricity, affordable housing, improved security and accountable governance.
Sowore said he would not withdraw his presidential ambition merely because other opposition politicians agreed on a consensus candidate.
The Democratic Leadership Alliance has also rejected the single-candidate proposal.
The party’s presidential campaign spokesperson, Tosin Odeyemi, said the DLA did not support the arrangement.
He stated that the party’s candidate would not withdraw from the presidential race for another aspirant.
The Young Progressives Party presidential candidate, Peter Agada, however, indicated that he could consider a consensus arrangement under certain conditions.
Agada said such an agreement would have to be based on a clearly defined ideology and development framework.
He also called for a political structure that would transfer greater power to the grassroots and strengthen the economy.
His position suggests that some opposition candidates may be willing to consider a common candidate, provided the arrangement is tied to a broader political and development agenda.
The Action Democratic Party has also said it will retain its presidential candidate.
The party’s National Chairman, Yabbagi Sani, argued that reaching agreement among several opposition parties would be difficult because each has its own interests, policies, programmes and manifesto.
Sani said the ADP candidate would not step down for another contender.
Instead, he said the party would welcome other presidential candidates who were prepared to withdraw and support its flag bearer.
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The differing positions among opposition parties highlight the challenge facing the G-100 as it attempts to establish a single presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 election.
While some candidates remain open to negotiations, others have firmly rejected the idea of stepping down.
Atiku, Obi and Makinde continue to present themselves as viable contenders, while Sowore, the DLA and ADP have also resisted calls for their candidates to withdraw.
The G-100 nevertheless maintains that consultations will continue, with September 30 set as its target for reaching a consensus.
Whether the alliance can persuade the major opposition contenders to sacrifice their individual ambitions for a single ticket is likely to remain one of the major political questions as the 2027 election approaches.
