Coalition urges opposition to back single presidential candidate

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A coalition of 100 prominent Nigerians under the banner of the G-100 has said only a united opposition can prevent what it described as the gradual erosion of Nigeria’s democracy and the continued dominance of the ruling All Progressives Congress.

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In a seven-page open letter titled, “The doctrine of a necessary democratic Opposition,” dated August 2, 2026, the group urged key opposition figures, including the African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar; the Nigeria Democratic Congress candidate, Peter Obi; former Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi and former Kano State governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and other political leaders, to immediately set aside personal ambitions and negotiate the emergence of a single presidential candidate for the 2027 election.

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The letter, signed by former APC National Vice Chairman (North-West), Salihu Lukman, former House of Representatives member, Nnenna Ukeje, ex- Kogi State Deputy Governor Simon Achuba, Professor Anthony Kila and 96 other signatories, argued that Nigeria’s democratic future depends on presenting Nigerians with a credible and united alternative to the current administration.

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According to the group, the greatest threat confronting Nigeria is not merely economic hardship but the gradual weakening of democratic institutions through a fragmented opposition and the growing concentration of political power.

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“There are seasons in the life of every nation when neutrality becomes a form of consent, and silence becomes an accomplice to decline. Nigeria has entered such a season”, the letter partly stated.

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The group declared that the country’s problems extend beyond inflation, unemployment and poverty, insisting that the deeper crisis lies in a political system that rewards loyalty over competence and patronage over public service.

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“We have fashioned a political order that too often rewards loyalty over merit, patronage over service, and power over accountability. We should not wonder that such a system produces poverty and misery, for a nation cannot harvest prosperity from institutions that perpetuate poverty and deprivation,” it said.

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The G-100 warned that while the ruling APC continues to consolidate power, opposition parties have become distracted by internal rivalries instead of focusing on building a viable electoral alternative.

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“The ruling party grows stronger, not only because of its own organisation, but because it has surrendered internal dissent to the authority of the executive.

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“At the same time, those entrusted with presenting Nigerians an alternative have become divided by ambition rather than united by purpose. While the executive consolidates power, the opposition fragments,” it lamented.

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The coalition stressed that democracy cannot survive without a credible opposition capable of peacefully replacing the government through elections.

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It described this principle as the “Doctrine of a necessary democratic opposition.”

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The letter further read, “The liberty of a people depends not only upon the existence of government, but upon the certainty that government may be peacefully challenged, corrected and, when necessary, replaced. A government that fears no opposition soon forgets the people. An opposition that cannot oppose soon forgets its purpose.”

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The group announced plans to convene a National Council of Opposition Leaders within the next two weeks, where leading opposition politicians, including Atiku, Obi, Kwankwaso, Amaechi, Makinde and ex-Senate President David Mark, as well as former Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola, among others, would be expected to negotiate a common political strategy and commit to producing a single presidential flag bearer.

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“We therefore call upon the leaders of the opposition to come together, to negotiate in earnest how the 2027 election shall be prosecuted as a united front.

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“Let that negotiation be anchored on the principles of building a cohesive single opposition candidate and a common purpose, a common programme, a common strategy and a common resolve to save Nigeria,” the group stated

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The coalition warned that opposition leaders who insist on pursuing individual presidential ambitions risk guaranteeing another victory for President Bola Tinubu.

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“Nigeria cannot be rescued by opposition leaders who march separately toward the same defeat. Personal ambition must submit to national necessity, for a people divided at the moment of decision will remain governed by those who profit from that division,” it argued.

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According to the G-100, the proposed national meeting will seek to extract what it described as “a solemn covenant” from opposition leaders, placing national interest above personal political aspirations.

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It disclosed that the gathering would reaffirm the principles contained in the Ibadan Declaration of April 2026 as the foundation for negotiating a consensus presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 polls.

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