Lukman Says Opposition Alliance Gaining Ground Ahead of 2027 Elections

A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and convener of the G100 political pressure group, Salihu Lukman, says efforts to unite opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections are advancing beyond initial expectations.

Lukman said the group had made progress in persuading political parties and their presidential candidates to recognise the need for cooperation and consider working together to strengthen the opposition.

He made the remarks during an interview with Channels Television, where he explained that G100 was established to engage opposition parties and their candidates on the challenges of political fragmentation and the need for a coordinated strategy.

According to him, the progress recorded so far suggests that party leaders may soon begin making public statements indicating the direction of their discussions.

The initiative seeks to build a common front capable of challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections.

As part of the process, six opposition parties recently consulted five presidential contenders on possible cooperation. The parties involved were the ADC, Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Social Democratic Party (SDP), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Peoples Redemption Party (PRP).

The presidential candidates consulted were Atiku Abubakar of the ADC, Seyi Makinde of the APM, Peter Obi of the NDC, Adewole Adebayo of the SDP and Donald Duke of the PRP.

Lukman maintained that the opposition would face significant difficulties defeating the ruling party if its presidential candidates contested separately and divided their supporters across multiple platforms.

He said the success of an alliance would depend largely on trust among the participating parties and their candidates, stressing the need for political leaders to build relationships that would enable them to make compromises and set aside individual ambitions.

The G100 initiative is focused on encouraging opposition leaders to agree on a common presidential candidate and establish a framework for cooperation before the elections.

The discussions come amid continuing efforts by opposition figures to reconcile competing political interests, determine the structure of a possible alliance and agree on a candidate capable of representing a broader opposition coalition.

Although consultations have progressed, the participating parties have yet to announce a final agreement on the alliance’s structure or its eventual presidential candidate.

Lukman’s comments indicate that negotiations remain ongoing as political parties prepare for the 2027 polls.