2027: Uncertainty trails push for single opposition candidate against Tinubu as Atiku set conditions

Uncertainty has continued to surround the proposal for a single opposition presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 general elections, as political parties and opposition figures adopt different positions on the initiative.

The development followed a call by the Group of 100 Nigerians (G-100), led by former All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Salisu Lukman, for opposition parties and presidential candidates to unite behind a single candidate capable of challenging President Bola Tinubu.

The group warned that a divided opposition could struggle to defeat the incumbent administration.

Lukman urged former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), their respective running mates, Rotimi Amaechi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, as well as other opposition figures, to put personal interests aside and consider the broader objective.

Earlier in the week, Lukman announced plans for an opposition summit scheduled to hold in Abuja on August 18, with the aim of bringing various opposition groups and political leaders to the negotiating table.

However, early indications suggest that reaching an agreement on a common candidate may prove difficult.

Speaking to Punch, Atiku’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, said the former vice-president welcomed efforts aimed at strengthening the opposition but could not confirm his attendance at the proposed summit.

> “His Excellency Atiku Abubakar welcomes every genuine initiative aimed at strengthening democratic opposition and providing Nigerians with a credible alternative to the Tinubu administration,” Shaibu said.

He explained that Atiku’s participation in the August 18 meeting would be announced after his schedule and participation had been finalised.

Shaibu also expressed support for the G-100 initiative, saying there was merit in building a broad democratic coalition ahead of the 2027 election.

> “What is most important is that any process towards achieving that objective must be transparent, inclusive and democratic, and ultimately produce a candidate capable of earning the confidence of Nigerians,” he said.

On the possibility of a single opposition candidate, Atiku was described as being engaged in consultations with political leaders and stakeholders across the opposition.

The former vice-president said such engagements were necessary at this stage of the political process and stressed that the broader objective should be strengthening the opposition and providing Nigerians with a credible alternative.

> “The objective is bigger than any individual: to strengthen the opposition, protect our democracy and present Nigerians with a credible alternative to an administration that has failed to meet their expectations,” he said.

He added that the outcome of the ongoing consultations would be made public “at the appropriate time.”

The proposed August 18 summit is therefore expected to provide an opportunity for opposition leaders to further discuss the possibility of a coalition and determine whether the various political interests can agree on a common presidential candidate for 2027.

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