Opposition leaders are stepping up efforts to challenge President Bola Tinubu in 2027, with former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi and former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke among the prominent figures being considered for a consensus presidential ticket.
The G100 coalition said Wednesday in Abuja that negotiations with opposition parties and presidential hopefuls were making progress, raising the prospect of a coordinated challenge to the ruling All Progressives Congress.
But with no candidate-selection formula publicly announced, the coalition faces a critical test: persuading rival political camps to rally behind one candidate and avoid a divided opposition vote.
The National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party, Prof. Sadiq Umar Abubakar Gombe, disclosed the development during the inauguration of the coalition’s legal and media committees.
“Our ambition is to present a candidate that can defeat APC and form the next government. And we’re making very good progress,” Gombe said.
The G100 comprises the African Democratic Congress, Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peoples Redemption Party, SDP, Peoples Democratic Party and Allied Peoples Movement.
Gombe said the inauguration marked a shift from preliminary discussions to a structured process for building a common opposition platform ahead of the 2027 elections.
“Today, we take a deliberate step from intention to structure. The work of this coalition will be judged not only by the strength of our convictions, but by the discipline, precision and unity with which we carry it out,” he said.
The legal committee will vet proposed agreements, identify legal risks and recommend safeguards against disputes that could derail the alliance. It will also examine INEC-related issues in the context of relevant Supreme Court judgments.
Warning against legal oversights, Gombe said, “We cannot afford surprises. A single overlooked clause can undo months of honest negotiation.”
The media committee will coordinate joint announcements, media engagements and public messaging among the participating parties.
Gombe said the coalition’s push for an alternative government was driven by insecurity, rising living costs, unemployment and declining purchasing power, insisting that the Tinubu administration must be held accountable for its performance.
However, the coalition’s biggest hurdle remains political. It must develop an acceptable method for choosing its candidate, reconcile competing ambitions and secure commitments from those who fail to emerge as the consensus flag bearer.
With Tinubu expected to seek re-election, the opposition’s ability to turn its negotiations into a united front could shape the 2027 contest.
For now, G100 says progress is being made. Whether Atiku, Obi, Duke and other presidential hopefuls will accept one candidate remains unresolved.