A major push to unite Nigeria’s fragmented opposition ahead of the 2027 general election is gathering pace, with a coalition of concerned Nigerians, known as the G100, confirming that it has opened discussions with some of the country’s most influential opposition leaders and political parties.

The group disclosed that it had completed the first phase of consultations with key political stakeholders, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Social Democratic Party (SDP), the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), and other opposition figures.

The consultations, which were conducted behind closed doors, are part of a broader effort to forge a stronger and more coordinated opposition capable of mounting a serious challenge in the next presidential election.

In a statement issued on Monday and signed by Salihu Mohammed Lukman on behalf of the G100, the coalition said the meetings brought together national chairmen, presidential candidates, running mates and other influential political actors, adding that the conversations were marked by openness, sincerity and a shared concern about the future of Nigeria’s democracy.

According to the group, the consultations stemmed from its Open Letter to Leaders of the Opposition, Leaders of Thought, Civil Society Organisations and Nigerians of Good Conscience, released on August 2, 2026. The document outlined what the coalition described as the “Doctrine of Necessary Democratic Opposition,” a call for greater collaboration among opposition forces to strengthen democratic competition and accountability.

The G100 explained that the talks were deliberately kept away from public attention to allow participants to engage freely on sensitive issues without external pressure or political distractions.

The coalition noted that one message emerged clearly from the discussions: opposition leaders increasingly recognise that disunity could weaken their chances of presenting Nigerians with a credible alternative in 2027.

It said many of the political leaders acknowledged that building a formidable opposition bloc would require difficult compromises, mutual respect, sacrifice and a willingness to put national interest ahead of personal ambitions and party calculations.

Advertisement

Encouraged by the outcome of the consultations, the group announced plans to convene a Summit of Opposition Parties in Abuja on August 18, where discussions on possible areas of cooperation and political alignment are expected to take centre stage.

The summit, according to the coalition, will provide a formal platform for parties to explore practical steps toward greater unity and collective action ahead of the next electoral cycle.

While facilitating the process, the G100 stressed that it was not seeking to impose any political arrangement on the parties involved. Rather, it said its objective is to create an atmosphere of trust and dialogue where leaders can honestly discuss the challenges and opportunities of working together.

The coalition maintained that any framework that eventually emerges from the consultations must respect the interests of all participating parties while keeping the aspirations of ordinary Nigerians at the forefront.

It further argued that a healthy democracy depends on the existence of a strong and credible opposition capable of effectively competing for power, warning that continued fragmentation among opposition parties would ultimately benefit neither the political parties nor the Nigerian people.

Describing the consultations as only the beginning of a much larger process, the G100 expressed confidence that sustained dialogue could lay the foundation for an opposition movement united by a common vision for the country.

“The consultations conducted over the past week are only the first step. The road ahead will demand patience, courage, compromise and sacrifice. We remain committed to supporting every sincere effort aimed at strengthening unity among Nigeria’s opposition parties in the overall interest of the nation and its democracy,” the coalition stated.