The G-100 opposition coalition says it is making progress towards selecting a consensus candidate to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election.
The coalition has intensified consultations among participating political parties and presidential aspirants, inaugurating legal and media committees to strengthen negotiations and coordinate its activities.
National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prof. Sadiq Gombe, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja during the inauguration of the coalition’s Legal and Media Committees.
Gombe said strategic engagements were progressing, with discussions expected to produce significant breakthroughs before the end of the year.
Atiku, Obi, Duke among aspirants under consideration
Political parties participating in the coalition include the SDP, African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Allied Peoples Movement (APM).
Prominent presidential hopefuls being considered include former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke and Adewale Adebayo.
According to Gombe, party leaders are holding direct discussions with the aspirants as part of efforts to agree on a common candidate.
The coalition’s objective is to avoid a fragmented opposition and present a united challenge to Tinubu’s bid for another term.
The newly inaugurated Legal Committee comprises national legal advisers from the participating parties.
Its responsibilities include examining constitutional provisions, electoral laws and Supreme Court rulings to identify and address potential legal challenges that could affect the coalition.
The committee is expected to help ensure that the alliance’s arrangements comply with applicable legal requirements.
Meanwhile, the Media and Publicity Committee, made up of national publicity secretaries and campaign spokespersons, will coordinate joint communications and messaging among the participating parties.
The committee is also expected to strengthen the coalition’s public engagement as negotiations continue.
Gombe said the coalition was seeking to provide Nigerians with a credible political alternative amid concerns over economic hardship and insecurity under the current administration.
He stressed the need for participating parties and aspirants to prioritise the national interest over individual political ambitions.
The coalition’s ability to reach an agreement on a consensus candidate will be a major test of its efforts to unite opposition forces ahead of the 2027 election.
However, the discussions remain ongoing, and the coalition has yet to announce a final candidate.
