Atiku, Obi, Makinde Absent As G100, Party Chairmen, Reps Caucus Chart Path To 2027

Major opposition political parties have begun discussions on a framework for cooperation ahead of the 2027 general elections, with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde absent from the maiden summit in Abuja.

The summit, held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, brought together representatives of six opposition parties, including the African Democratic Congress, Allied Peoples Movement, National Democratic Congress, Peoples Democratic Party faction, Peoples Redemption Party and Social Democratic Party.

Although the three prominent opposition figures were not present, several presidential and vice-presidential candidates, national party officials and members of boards of trustees attended the gathering.

The meeting, facilitated by the G100, focused on developing a coordinated strategy that could prevent opposition votes from being divided in the 2027 presidential election.

Speaking on behalf of the G100, Salihu Mohammed Lukman proposed a Government of National Competence based on a single four-year transition term. He said the arrangement should be backed by an enforceable Transition Charter to ensure that agreements reached by participating parties are respected.

Lukman pointed to the 2023 presidential election as evidence of the consequences of opposition fragmentation. He argued that votes received collectively by major opposition candidates exceeded those of the eventual winner but were divided among different political platforms.

The summit also proposed three coordinating bodies: a Central Leadership Committee made up of party leaders and presidential candidates, a Publicity and Communication Committee, and a Legal Committee.

Five working groups are expected to develop proposals within four weeks covering democratic renewal, a single-term transition charter, a national reform programme, opposition unity and a roadmap towards selecting a common presidential candidate.

The House of Representatives Minority Caucus also backed the initiative. Its leader, Fred Agbedi, urged opposition parties to put aside personal ambitions and replicate the unity that helped the then-opposition APC defeat the PDP in 2015.

PRP presidential candidate Donald Duke said he was prepared to support any candidate jointly chosen by participating parties, warning that political ego could undermine the opposition’s chances.

At the end of the summit, the participating parties adopted a joint communiqué committing themselves to structured negotiations ahead of a second summit.

The G100 will remain a facilitator and observer as the parties work towards a possible common political platform for the 2027 election.