Six opposition political parties have begun consultations with five presidential aspirants as part of efforts to develop a common strategy and strengthen cooperation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The consultations involved the 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).
Former All Progressives Congress National Vice Chairman (North-West), Salihu Lukman, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday on behalf of the coalition parties, saying discussions were ongoing.
According to the statement, those consulted included former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar of the ADC, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde of the APM, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi of the NDC, Adewole Adebayo of the SDP and former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke of the PRP.
Lukman said the meetings were part of efforts to implement resolutions reached at the G100 opposition summit, which called for sustained dialogue, stronger cooperation and a coordinated approach among opposition parties.
He explained that the engagements were intended to establish a framework for cooperation, identify areas of common ground and determine the steps required to advance a shared democratic agenda ahead of the 2027 elections.
“The consultations represent a practical step towards giving effect to those resolutions,” the statement said.
“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.”
Although no agreement on a single opposition presidential candidate has been announced, the consultations signal continuing efforts by opposition leaders to bridge political differences and explore a common approach to challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress and President Bola Tinubu in the next general election.
The question of a consensus presidential candidate remains a major issue in discussions about opposition cooperation, with competing interests surrounding the choice of candidate, the political platform to adopt and the formula for reaching an agreement.
Atiku and Obi, who finished second and third, respectively, in the 2023 presidential election, remain prominent figures in the opposition, while other party leaders and presidential aspirants are also seeking to influence the direction of the emerging coalition.
It remains unclear how the parties intend to select a consensus candidate or whether all the participating leaders would eventually agree to support one person.
Lukman said the consultations underscored the need for political leaders to work across party lines to address Nigeria’s challenges, protect electoral credibility and strengthen multiparty democracy.
He added that Nigerians deserved leaders who would prioritise the country’s future and citizens’ welfare over narrow partisan interests.
“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,” he said.
The statement added that Nigerians would be informed of substantive decisions and agreed next steps as the discussions progressed.
The consultations come amid calls from opposition figures for greater unity ahead of the 2027 elections.
In August, the PRP National Chairman, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, called on opposition parties to unite to defeat Tinubu at the polls, arguing that such an effort would require the support of Nigerians.
Baba-Ahmed made the call at an opposition political parties’ summit organised by G100 in Abuja, where he described the need for opposition unity as central to the effort to remove the President from power through the electoral process.
The latest consultations are expected to continue as the parties explore areas of agreement and work towards a coordinated strategy ahead of the 2027 general elections.
