—G100 initiates ‘Doctrine of Necessary Democratic Opposition’ to challenge ruling party
—Atiku, Obi, Kwankwaso, Makinde set to decide merger modalities at August 18 Abuja summit
A coalition of political stakeholders under the aegis of the G100 has concluded its first round of consultations with key opposition leaders, including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and Governor Seyi Makinde, in a bid to forge a united front against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The move, aimed at creating a grand alliance to challenge President Bola Tinubu, will culminate in a national Summit of Opposition Parties scheduled for Tuesday, August 18, 2026, in Abuja.
In a statement released on Monday by the G100 spokesperson, Salihu Moh. Lukman, the group confirmed it had held “frank, constructive, and encouraging” discussions with the leadership, presidential candidates, and running mates of six major opposition parties.
These include Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress (ADC); Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC); and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM). The coalition also engaged the leaderships of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), and the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
According to Lukman, the consultations followed the group’s August 2 open letter to opposition leaders, which introduced the “Doctrine of Necessary Democratic Opposition.”
“We have deliberately kept these consultations away from the media glare, recognizing the sensitivity of the discussions and the need to allow party leaders to engage frankly without the pressure of premature public commentary,” Lukman said. “At this stage, protecting the integrity of the process is more important than publicizing every meeting.”
He noted that the preliminary talks revealed a shared consensus among opposition leaders that defeating the incumbent administration in 2027 will require significant sacrifice, compromise, and a willingness to prioritize national interest over personal and partisan ambitions.
The upcoming August 18 summit in Abuja is designed to provide a structured platform where the participating parties can begin negotiating the modalities of a formal alliance or merger.
“The G100 does not presume to dictate the outcome of these conversations,” Lukman added. “Our role is to facilitate dialogue, build confidence, and help create the conditions in which the participating political parties can openly consider the difficult questions of cooperation, sacrifice, accommodation, and collective action.”
The group warned that a fragmented opposition only serves the interests of the ruling party, arguing that Nigeria’s democracy is strongest when voters are presented with a singular, viable alternative.
Reacting to the development, former PDP National Publicity Secretary Kola Ologbondiyan remarked that despite previous setbacks in alignment talks, key political actors like Atiku, Obi, and Kwankwaso still have a golden opportunity to finalize a grand alliance that could reshape the country’s political landscape in 2027.
