The move by some opposition parties to consider forging a common front in the wake of the forthcoming 2027 general elections is a step in the right direction. The push is capable of thwarting President Tinubu’s “almighty plan” to win the election at all cost and by all means. This is happening as the push for a united opposition ahead of 2027 general elections enters a new phase. The G100 Group which is reportedly driving the move is said to be preparing for a major summit in Abuja.
The G100 Group reportedly revealed that it has held consultations with six opposition political parties and is now preparing unity of opposition as the only way forward. The group said representatives had engaged the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) and Social Democratic Party (SDP).
It said the consultations, which involved national chairmen, presidential candidates and running mates, had produced a broad convergence around the need for opposition parties to work more closely together. The development comes eight days before the planned opposition parties summit scheduled for Tuesday, August 18, 2026, in Abuja.
According to the G100, the summit is expected to provide a platform for the parties to begin detailed discussions on how greater cooperation can be achieved ahead of the 2027 elections. The group, in a statement signed by Salihu Mohammed Lukman on behalf of the G100 on Monday, said the consultations were deliberately conducted away from public scrutiny because of the sensitivity of the issues being discussed. It said the decision was intended to give political leaders room for frank and constructive engagement without the pressure associated with premature public disclosure.
In a statement signed by Salihu Mohammed Lukman on behalf of the G100, it said, “Achieving a credible and effective opposition will require sacrifice, compromise and a willingness to place the larger interests of the country above narrow partisan or individual considerations.” The G100 said its consultations followed an open letter issued to opposition leaders on August 2, 2026, in which it advanced the “Doctrine of Necessary Democratic Opposition”.
It said the doctrine was premised on the argument that Nigeria’s democracy would be strengthened if voters were presented with a credible opposition capable of effectively competing for their mandate. It maintained that the continued fragmentation of opposition parties could undermine efforts to provide such an alternative. “Fragmentation among those seeking to provide that alternative serves neither the opposition nor the Nigerian people,” it said
From the look of things, 2027 presents a formidable challenge for the opposition parties. And that’s literally what every opposition strategist is saying right now. With Tinubu running as incumbent, the math is brutal if opposition stays split.
The reasons why opposition unity is the only way forward is taking a cue from the 2023 election results, which stood as follows: Tinubu: 8.79m votes, Atiku 6.98m, Obi 6.10m. Combined opposition 13.08m, – beat Tinubu by 4.3m. If Obi, Atiku, Kwankwaso and PDP ran separately again, Tinubu wins with 35-38 percent, incumbency will add to that. APC’s Game Plan is clear: “Divide and Conquer”. Let ADC fight NDC. Let PDP factions fight each other while incumbent sweeps middle with feder might and money power. Vanguard already called it: “opposition parties in disarray, produce factional candidates.”
There are three models being discussed: Model A: The Mega Coalition – 1 party with 1 candidate. Platform: ADC or NDC as vehicle. Ticket: Atiku for President, Obi for VP or Obi for President, Kwankwaso for VP, Backers: David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola, Amaechi coalition. Problem: ego. Who steps down? Atiku is 80 in 2027. Obi says “it’s our time”.
Model B: The 2015 Buhari Model – step-down agreement. Primaries happen, loser steps down and endorses winner. Loser gets key ministries: Finance, Defense, SGF. Happened with APC merging ACN, CPC and ANPP.
Model C: Zonal power-sharing agreement. North backs one candidate this time, South gets VP plus 2023. Or “4-year single term” promise to rotate power.
Who holds the key to unity? Peter Obi and NDC have youth vote, money from diaspora. Atiku and ADC coalition have structure, money, governors, but “recycled” tag. Kwankwaso: Kingmaker in Kano. Joined Obi in NDC already. Seyi Makinde, Wike faction, Jonathan: wildcards. If PDP unites, it changes everything. The Ibadan opposition summit already discussed fielding one candidate.
What happens if opposition fails to unitr? It will be a lost battle. Tinubu wins 2nd Term with 35-4 percent.
Opposition blames each other. Four more years of same policies: Subsidy, tax reform, floating naira continues, plus hardship. Consequently, opposition becomes irrelevant: PDP may die, ADC/NDC remain protest parties
But if they unite, toss-up election: Becomes 50-50. Depends on turnout in North-West, North-Central, Lagos. There wikk be policy reset: Expect reversal/renegotiation of subsidy, forex, minimum wage. New political era: Two-party system solidifies: APC vs united opposition
Truth is unity isn’t about ideology. It’s about survival. Every opposition leader knows that going alone they lose, but together they have a shot. The qustion is who will sacrifice ambition for country? If we don’t see a joint ticket by December 2026, Tinubu is likely a winner, which will double the pain and hardship.
Dr. Onyekakeyah, a former member of The Guardian Editorial Board, is a public affairs commentator and columnist for Daily Query.
