The presidential candidates of the African Democratic Congress, Atiku Abubakar; Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi; and Allied Peoples’ Movement, Seyi Makinde, have maintained their ambitions to contest the 2027 presidential election despite ongoing efforts by opposition groups to produce a consensus candidate.
The development has created fresh uncertainty for the G-100, a coalition of political groups and stakeholders seeking to unite opposition parties behind one presidential candidate ahead of the election.
A member of the G-100, Ambassador Umanu Elijah, however, expressed confidence that consultations among the various political interests would be completed and a consensus reached by September 30.
The camps of Atiku, Obi and Makinde have so far shown no indication that their candidates are ready to withdraw from the presidential race in support of another aspirant. Instead, the three politicians have continued to promote their individual bids, making the possibility of a single opposition candidate more difficult.
Other opposition parties, including the African Action Congress, Democratic Leadership Alliance, Allied Peoples’ Movement and Action Democratic Party, have also rejected suggestions that their presidential candidates would step aside for another contender.
Their positions have added to the challenges facing efforts to create a broad opposition alliance ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The G-100 initiative is part of a wider attempt by opposition politicians to build stronger cooperation and present a united challenge to the ruling All Progressives Congress and President Bola Tinubu.
Opposition leaders and representatives of six political parties recently gathered at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja for the G-100 Alliance Summit.
The meeting was organised to explore areas of cooperation among the opposition and consider the possibility of working together during the 2027 elections.
Elijah said the group was still holding discussions with political parties and presidential candidates as it worked towards selecting one candidate who could receive the backing of the opposition.
He explained that the process was still at an early stage and that no candidate had yet been formally adopted. He added that the group hoped to conclude the discussions before the end of September and then approach other political parties and candidates to seek their support.
He also referred to the recent meeting between Peter Obi and Seyi Makinde as part of the broader discussions aimed at bringing opposition politicians together.
The media aide to Atiku, Paul Ibe, declined to comment on the development.
However, an ally of Atiku said the former Vice-President remained open to discussions on an opposition alliance.
The ally argued that Atiku had been involved in efforts to create an opposition coalition long before the latest G-100 initiative emerged.
According to the source, consultations with political stakeholders across the country and different parties eventually led to the formation of the ADC as a platform for the opposition coalition.
The source maintained that Atiku was already the presidential candidate of the ADC, while other opposition figures were still discussing possible alliances and consensus arrangements.
He added that Atiku remained willing to engage with other political leaders but was determined to contest the 2027 presidential election.
The APM National Publicity Secretary, Abubakar Yusuf, also confirmed that Makinde remained firmly in the presidential race.
Yusuf said the Oyo State governor was contesting the election with the intention of winning and not merely participating.
He acknowledged that discussions about a possible consensus candidate were taking place but said Makinde had not withdrawn from the race and could himself become the preferred candidate of the opposition coalition.
The NDC National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, said the party was also open to discussions about a single opposition candidate.
Director said the NDC believed political cooperation was necessary and that Obi’s participation in meetings with politicians from other parties was part of the party’s approach to building wider cooperation.
He maintained, however, that the NDC presidential candidate remained a strong contender with a realistic chance of becoming the consensus candidate.
According to him, the party was ready to participate in talks aimed at selecting a common opposition candidate while continuing to believe that Obi was among the strongest options available.
Meanwhile, African Action Congress presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore rejected the idea of withdrawing from the presidential race simply because opposition parties agreed on a single candidate.
Sowore argued that bringing opposition politicians together would not automatically solve Nigeria’s problems. He said any political alliance should be based on a shared ideology, clear plans and a commitment to major reforms.
He maintained that a single candidate without a common political vision could simply lead to a change in the people occupying political offices without addressing the problems affecting the country.
Sowore said the AAC was seeking broader changes, including economic justice, better wages, quality and accessible education, universal healthcare, reliable electricity, affordable housing, improved security and accountable leadership.
He also rejected the possibility of surrendering what he described as the interests of millions of Nigerians to an arrangement controlled by political elites.
Similarly, the Democratic Leadership Alliance said it was not supporting the proposal for a single opposition presidential candidate.
The party’s presidential campaign spokesperson, Tosin Odeyemi, said its candidate would remain in the race and would not step aside for another aspirant.
The Young Progressives Party presidential candidate, Peter Agada, however, indicated that he could consider a consensus arrangement under certain conditions.
Agada said such an agreement would need to be based on a clear ideology and development plan, particularly one capable of giving greater political power to people at the grassroots.
He also said the arrangement should include measures aimed at strengthening the economy and improving opportunities at the local level.
The Action Democratic Party National Chairman, Yabbagi Sani, said his party would also retain its presidential candidate.
Sani argued that it would be difficult to bring together the different interests, policies and programmes of several opposition parties within a short period.
He said the ADP had its own manifesto and presidential candidate and would not withdraw for another contender.
Instead, he said the party would welcome other candidates who were willing to step aside and support its presidential candidate.
With several opposition parties maintaining their individual candidates while the G-100 continues its consultations, efforts to produce a single challenger to the APC and Tinubu ahead of the 2027 election remain uncertain.