Six opposition political parties have begun talks on a possible coalition ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with a proposed single four-year transition term and a common candidate among issues under consideration.
The parties met in Abuja on Monday at a summit facilitated by the G-100, with representatives of the African Democratic Congress, ADC; Allied Peoples Movement, APM; Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC; Peoples Democratic Party, PDP; Peoples Redemption Party, PRP; and Social Democratic Party, SDP, in attendance.
The G-100 proposed a Government of National Competence that would be backed by an enforceable commitment to a single four-year term.
However, the summit did not select a presidential candidate or ask any party to dissolve or merge. Instead, the parties agreed to establish three committees and five working groups to develop a framework for opposition unity and a roadmap to a common presidential candidate within four weeks.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi were among prominent opposition figures absent from the meeting. Atiku’s aide, Phrank Shaibu, said his absence was unavoidable and should not be interpreted as a boycott, adding that he remained committed to opposition unity.
PRP presidential candidate Donald Duke said he was prepared to set aside his personal ambition and support any candidate jointly agreed upon by the coalition.
The opposition leaders said their push for unity was informed partly by the outcome of the 2023 presidential election, when opposition candidates shared votes that, if combined, would have exceeded the total won by President Bola Tinubu.
The parties are expected to reconvene for a second summit after the working groups submit their reports.
The move also reflects growing efforts by opposition parties to avoid another fragmented contest in 2027, as recent elections have continued to highlight the importance of grassroots support, local issues, and voter confidence.
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