The push by opposition parties to produce a single presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 election may be facing a major hurdle, with former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi yet to embrace the arrangement.
Amid the uncertainty, stakeholders in the G100 opposition alliance are reportedly considering a possible runoff strategy that would allow opposition parties to cooperate if no consensus candidate emerges before the election.
Sources within the alliance told Saturday PUNCH that consultations with Atiku and Obi were continuing, but that the group was also examining alternative forms of cooperation in the event that its single-candidate proposal fails.
The G100 had initially pushed for opposition parties to work towards presenting one presidential candidate in 2027. However, Atiku, who is associated with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), have continued with their respective presidential ambitions while remaining part of wider opposition consultations.
One of the sources said the objective of the discussions was to keep both politicians engaged in the process, regardless of whether they eventually accept a single-candidate arrangement.
“Both have not shown any kind of inclination or acceptance of the single candidacy at this time. But of course, there are other plans,” the source said.
According to the source, continued engagement with the two politicians could become important before, during and after the election, including in the event of a second round.
Another source said the possibility of a runoff was being considered as part of the alliance’s contingency plans.
“The two major opposition leaders, Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, seem to be less concerned about the single-candidacy plan of the G100,” the source said.
The source added that if the opposition failed to agree on a common candidate, the ongoing discussions could provide a framework for parties to cooperate in a possible second round.
Nigeria’s Constitution provides for a second presidential election where no candidate satisfies the constitutional requirements for victory in an election involving more than two candidates. Section 134 sets out the conditions for determining a winner and the circumstances under which a second election may be held.
G100 opposition talks
The G100 held its first summit of opposition parties at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja on August 31 as part of efforts to develop a framework for cooperation ahead of the 2027 elections.
Representatives of the ADC, Allied Peoples Movement, NDC, a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, Peoples Redemption Party and Social Democratic Party participated in the summit.
Atiku, Obi and APM presidential candidate Seyi Makinde were absent from the meeting. Earlier reports on the summit also indicated that the gathering was focused on developing a common opposition framework, including discussions around a single presidential platform.
The National Publicity Secretary of the Tanimu Turaki-led PDP faction, Ini Ememobong, confirmed the faction’s continued participation in the G100 initiative.
He said the party believed opposition parties needed to work together ahead of the 2027 election.
The APM National Publicity Secretary, Abubakar Yusuf, also confirmed that his party remained part of the discussions but stressed that its presidential candidate, Seyi Makinde, remained in the race.
“Our party was there from the beginning. The conversation is ongoing, and as time goes on, I believe the other stakeholders will make some of the decisions and positions public,” Yusuf said.
The development comes amid broader efforts by opposition politicians and parties to build a common political platform ahead of 2027. The G100 has previously facilitated consultations involving Atiku, Obi, Makinde and other opposition figures.
However, differences remain within the emerging opposition alliance over issues including policy direction and the question of whether cooperation must necessarily produce a single presidential candidate. The ADC, for instance, has said its support for opposition cooperation is not necessarily dependent on producing one candidate.
Attempts to obtain comments from Atiku’s media aide, Paul Ibe, as well as the PRP National Chairman, Akeem Baba-Ahmed, and APM Chairman, Yusuf Dantalle, were unsuccessful as of press time.
The G100 discussions are expected to continue as opposition parties weigh different options ahead of the 2027 general election.
