From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
leaders of six opposition political parties have held talks with five presidential candidates, including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi and Seyi Makinde, as part of efforts to forge a united front and explore fielding a single candidate against President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
The G-100, which disclosed the consultations in a statement by Salihu Lukman on Wednesday, said the engagements followed resolutions adopted at its recent Opposition Summit on strengthening cooperation ahead of the January 16 presidential poll.
According to the statement, national chairmen and national secretaries of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Social Democratic Party (SDP), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) participated in the consultations.
They met with ADC presidential candidate, Atiku; his NDC counterpart, Obi; APM candidate, Governor Makinde; SDP candidate, Adewole Adebayo; and PRP candidate, Donald Duke.
“These engagements are being undertaken in furtherance of the resolutions of the G100 Opposition Summit, which called for sustained dialogue, stronger cooperation and a coordinated approach among opposition parties in defence of multiparty democracy and the interests of the Nigerian people.”
Lukman described the meetings as a practical step towards implementing the summit’s resolutions, saying they provided an opportunity for party leaders and presidential candidates to consider a framework for cooperation ahead of the election.
“The consultations represent a practical step towards giving effect to those resolutions. They provide an opportunity for party leaders and presidential candidates to deliberate on the framework for opposition cooperation, identify areas of common ground and consider the steps necessary to advance a shared democratic agenda ahead of 2027.”
Lukman said the initiative was driven by the belief that Nigeria’s challenges required political leaders to work across party lines and place citizens’ welfare and electoral credibility above narrow interests.
“At the heart of this process is the conviction that the challenges confronting Nigeria demand serious engagement across party lines. Nigerians deserve political leaders who are prepared to place the country’s future, the wellbeing of its citizens and the credibility of its elections above narrow interests,” he said.
He added that the consultations were continuing, with further engagements expected to build on the summit’s resolutions.
“The consultations remain ongoing. Further engagements will build on the G100 resolutions and the commitment to an opposition that is organised, responsible and capable of working together in the national interest,” Lukman stated.