Opposition stakeholders under the G100 alliance are considering alternative strategies for the 2027 presidential election as efforts to persuade Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi to back a single candidate continue.
The PUNCH reported that discussions with Atiku, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, and Obi, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate, are ongoing.
However, neither candidate has accepted the proposal for a consensus opposition candidate.
According to sources, the G100 is now considering cooperation in a possible presidential run-off if the single-candidate plan fails.
One source said the alliance wants to keep engaging Atiku and Obi before, during and after the election to ensure opposition parties can work together under different scenarios.
Another source said the alliance’s research suggested that a clear winner might not emerge in the first round, making a possible second-round agreement part of its contingency planning.
The source said Atiku and Obi appeared unwilling to step down for a single opposition candidate but could still cooperate if a run-off becomes necessary.
Section 134 of the Nigerian Constitution provides for a second election under specified circumstances where no presidential candidate meets the required conditions for victory.
The National Publicity Secretary of the Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, Ini Ememobong, confirmed that the faction remained committed to the G100 initiative.
He said the faction believed opposition parties needed to work together ahead of the election.
The APM also confirmed its continued participation in the G100 discussions.
However, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Abubakar Yusuf, said its presidential candidate, Seyi Makinde, remained in the race.
Yusuf said discussions among the opposition stakeholders were ongoing and that the parties would make their positions public as decisions are reached.
