The battle to build a united opposition against President Bola Tinubu in 2027 is approaching a critical stage, with key political figures expected to publicly clarify their positions as negotiations shift from general calls for unity to the difficult question of how to work together.
A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Salihu Lukman, says former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential candidate Adewole Adebayo and other opposition leaders are expected to make public statements indicating the direction of the coalition talks.
Lukman disclosed this in a recent interview with Channels Television, expressing confidence that the negotiations had recorded progress beyond initial expectations.
“We have succeeded beyond some of our expectations. I am sure the leadership of the opposition parties will begin to make public statements themselves to show the direction they are going on the opposition coalition,” he said.
His remarks come as six opposition parties intensify consultations on a common strategy for the 2027 general elections, including the possibility of presenting a single presidential candidate.
But beyond the declarations of unity, the coalition faces a difficult political calculation: how to reconcile competing presidential ambitions, party interests and the expectations of supporters.
Atiku, Obi and Adebayo are associated with different political platforms and constituencies. Any arrangement involving them would require agreement not only on the coalition’s objectives but also on the process for selecting a candidate and securing the cooperation of those who do not emerge as the flag bearer.
The talks involve the ADC, Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), SDP, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Peoples Redemption Party (PRP).
According to reports on the consultations, the discussions have included Atiku, Obi, Adebayo, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke.
Lukman acknowledged that his membership of the ADC had affected how some participants perceived and received him, highlighting the sensitivities surrounding party affiliations in the broader opposition negotiations.
The challenge is particularly significant because the opposition’s leading figures must balance their individual political ambitions against the stated objective of coordinating their efforts ahead of the presidential election.
A common candidate could provide a framework for cooperation, but it would not automatically guarantee that supporters of the participating parties would transfer their loyalty to whoever emerges.
The coalition must also establish an acceptable decision-making process and clarify how the participating parties would cooperate beyond the presidential contest.
The renewed consultations follow an opposition summit held in Ibadan in April, where political leaders discussed the possibility of presenting a common candidate against Tinubu.
Whether the latest engagements will produce a binding agreement remains to be seen.
For now, Lukman’s comments suggest that public declarations from opposition leaders may be the next significant development.
Those statements could help clarify whether the parties are moving towards a common presidential ticket or maintaining separate political ambitions while exploring areas of cooperation.
Ultimately, the coalition’s progress will be measured not by the number of meetings held or declarations issued, but by whether its leaders can agree on a workable arrangement before the 2027 election.