Opposition parties seeking to unseat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election have intensified discussions on the emergence of a single presidential candidate, with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Donald Duke and Adewale Adebayo among those being considered.
The G-100 coalition disclosed in Abuja that negotiations among opposition leaders and presidential hopefuls had recorded significant progress, expressing optimism that outstanding issues would be resolved ahead of the election.
The coalition made this known during the inauguration of its legal and media committees, which are expected to provide the institutional framework for negotiations and cooperation among the participating parties.
The parties involved in the initiative include the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Allied Peoples Movement (APM).
The presidential hopefuls being considered include Atiku Abubakar of the ADC, Peter Obi of the NDC, Donald Duke of the PRP and Adewale Adebayo of the SDP, among others.
Speaking at the event, the National Chairman of the SDP, Prof. Sadiq Umar Abubakar Gombe, who inaugurated the committees, said the coalition was moving beyond political declarations to establish concrete structures for achieving its objective.
He disclosed that party leaders had been engaging the presidential hopefuls, adding that the candidates themselves had commenced discussions on possible cooperation before the end of the year.
“Our ambition is to present a candidate that can defeat APC and form the next government. And we’re making very good progress,” Gombe said.
He described the feedback from participating parties and presidential aspirants as encouraging, expressing confidence that the coalition would overcome the challenges associated with selecting a common candidate.
Although the coalition has yet to announce a formula for choosing its flag bearer, Gombe emphasised the need for discipline, precision and unity throughout the negotiation process.
“Today, we take a deliberate step from intention to structure. The work of this coalition will be judged not only by the strength of our convictions, but by the discipline, precision and unity with which we carry it out,” he said.
The legal committee, comprising national legal advisers of the participating parties and other senior legal representatives, will examine the constitutional and legal implications of the proposed alliance.
Its responsibilities include reviewing outstanding legal disputes involving the parties, assessing relevant actions of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in light of Supreme Court judgments, and advising the coalition on lawful options for cooperation.
The committee will also scrutinise draft agreements, identify potential legal risks, recommend safeguards and develop mechanisms for resolving disputes before any coalition agreement is adopted.
Gombe warned that overlooking legal details could jeopardise the negotiations, urging members to approach their assignments with diligence, transparency and independent judgment.
“We cannot afford surprises. A single overlooked clause can undo months of honest negotiation,” he said.
The media and publicity committee, on its part, will coordinate public communications, joint media engagements and official announcements by the participating parties.
It is also expected to establish procedures for approving joint statements, maintain consistency in the coalition’s public positions and consult the legal committee on sensitive constitutional and legal issues.
Gombe urged both committees to work within their respective mandates, maintain effective coordination and regularly report their progress to the coalition leadership.
He said the initiative was driven by the need to provide Nigerians with a credible political alternative amid persistent economic and security challenges.
According to him, insecurity, rising living costs, unemployment and declining purchasing power have continued to weigh heavily on citizens, while concerns over public accountability and institutional effectiveness require urgent attention.
He maintained that the performance of the Tinubu administration must be assessed based on its record, policy outcomes and capacity to address the country’s pressing challenges.
Gombe added that political office should be regarded as a responsibility entrusted to leaders by the electorate rather than an entitlement beyond public scrutiny.
He said the coalition remained committed to offering credible alternatives, protecting constitutional democracy and ensuring that political engagement remained peaceful and focused on the national interest.
The SDP chairman urged participating parties to place the collective interests of Nigerians above personal ambitions and partisan differences, warning that the success of the initiative would depend on their ability to sustain a common purpose.
“The strength of this coalition will not be measured by the number of parties represented here, but by our unity of purpose, discipline, credibility, and commitment to the Nigerian people,” he said.
