The G100 has called on Nigeria’s opposition political parties and their leaders to put aside their differences and embrace cooperation ahead of the First Summit of Nigeria’s Opposition Political Parties scheduled to hold on Monday in Abuja.
The group, in a statement issued on Sunday and signed by its representative, Salihu Moh. Lukman, said the summit comes at a crucial time for Nigeria’s democracy and urged opposition leaders to demonstrate political maturity and a shared commitment to providing Nigerians with a credible alternative.
According to the G100, millions of Nigerians are looking beyond mere criticism of the government and expect opposition parties to show the discipline, unity and national purpose required to offer an alternative political direction.
The group acknowledged that the participating political parties have different histories, identities, ambitions and interests but insisted that such differences should not stand in the way of cooperation on issues of national concern.
“Cooperation does not require any party to surrender its identity or legitimate aspirations. It simply requires the wisdom to recognise that there are moments when what unites us must become more important than what separates us,” the group said.
The G100 warned that experience from elections in Nigeria and other democracies had shown that divisions within the opposition could weaken its collective strength by splitting votes, resources and political energy.
“Division is a choice. Cooperation must now become a strategy,” it declared.
It said the Abuja summit, scheduled to hold at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, offers opposition leaders an opportunity to begin developing practical mechanisms for dialogue, coordination and cooperation while retaining their individual party identities and structures.
The group urged all participants to approach the summit with open minds and good faith, stressing that disagreements and competing ambitions were normal features of democratic politics.
“There will be disagreements, competing ambitions and difficult conversations. These are natural in politics. But none should prevent us from recognising the greater danger of allowing our differences to deny Nigerians a credible alternative,” it said.
The G100 stressed that the summit should not be seen as a contest to determine winners and losers among opposition parties.
“Tomorrow is not about declaring winners or losers within the opposition. It is about beginning the work of ensuring that Nigerian democracy wins,” the group said.
It urged opposition leaders to focus on the aspirations of Nigerians, insisting that greater cooperation could provide a stronger platform for influencing the country’s political future.
“Alone, each opposition party can make its case. Together, the opposition can change the course of the country,” the statement added.
As leaders of opposition parties prepare to converge on Abuja, the G100 urged them to seize the opportunity to demonstrate unity, political maturity and collective responsibility.
“History has presented the opposition with an opportunity. We must be wise enough not to waste it,” the group said.
