By Our Political Correspondent
Nigeria’s opposition parties may keep the country guessing until just days before the 2027 presidential election before unveiling a consensus candidate to challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, according to Salihu Lukman, convener of the G-100 political pressure group.
Lukman, a former National Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), disclosed this during an interview on Channels Television’s Hard Copy programme on Saturday, October 17, 2026.
He expressed confidence that opposition leaders would eventually agree on a common presidential candidate, despite disagreements, competing political ambitions and a lack of trust among some of the parties involved.
According to him, the announcement could come months, weeks or even a few days before the election, when the participating parties would communicate their decision to Nigerians and urge their supporters to rally behind the chosen candidate.
The proposed arrangement is part of ongoing efforts to unite opposition forces and avoid splitting votes among multiple presidential candidates in the 2027 general election.
Atiku, Peter Obi, Makinde, Others in the Opposition Calculations
The proposed coalition involves prominent political figures, including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, Prince Adewole Adebayo and former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke.
The six political parties initially involved in the consultations are 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).
Lukman disclosed that discussions had expanded beyond the initial group, with efforts underway to bring additional political parties into the proposed alliance.
However, the consultations have yet to produce an officially announced consensus presidential candidate.
The major question confronting the opposition is whether these influential political figures will be willing to support a candidate other than their preferred choice if the negotiations produce a common flag bearer.
Why Opposition Leaders Want a Consensus Candidate
The push for a single presidential candidate follows an opposition summit held in Ibadan in April 2026, where participants resolved to pursue a united front against the ruling APC.
Supporters of the initiative argue that presenting multiple opposition candidates could divide votes among parties and make it more difficult to mount a coordinated challenge.
Lukman said the political parties and their presidential candidates had taken ownership of the negotiations, moving the process beyond the activities of the G-100 pressure group.
He explained that the parties were working to establish the mutual confidence necessary to sustain an alliance.
He identified the lack of trust among opposition leaders and their candidates as the biggest obstacle to reaching a final agreement.
A summit held on August 31 also agreed to establish five working groups, including one tasked with developing a framework for selecting a consensus presidential candidate.
Under the proposed arrangement, participating parties would nominate representatives through their leadership structures or presidential candidates.
The intention is to ensure that decisions are taken by authorised representatives who have the confidence of the parties and candidates they represent.
Lukman Warns Atiku, Obi Supporters Against Rigid Positions
Lukman also addressed concerns that supporters of Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi and the Kwankwasiyya political movement might resist an arrangement that requires them to support another candidate.
He warned opposition politicians against adopting rigid positions that could undermine negotiations.
According to him, political leaders must be prepared to make compromises if they genuinely want to achieve their stated objective of presenting a common candidate.
Lukman argued that the interests of the country should take precedence over individual political ambitions.
He also cited the argument that opposition candidates cannot divide their support among several contenders and still expect one of them to emerge victorious.
His remarks highlight the difficult negotiations facing the opposition, particularly as prominent political figures seek to preserve their influence and maintain the loyalty of their supporters.
Opposition Parties May Agree on Common Policy Agenda
Beyond selecting a presidential candidate, the participating parties are also working towards a shared programme of action.
Lukman explained that the objective was not to merge the manifestos of all the parties but to agree on a minimum set of policy priorities that any candidate emerging from the alliance would commit to implementing.
The framework is expected to address differences in the parties’ policy positions and establish areas of common ground before a consensus candidate is selected.
For instance, the negotiations may have to accommodate differing proposals on economic management, petrol prices and other national issues.
Lukman said the eventual candidate could emerge from the ADC, another participating political party or a new political platform established through an alliance.
He maintained that the participating candidates would agree to the common programme before the selection process was concluded.
This would provide a policy framework for the proposed alliance, regardless of which candidate eventually emerges.
What This Means for Tinubu and the 2027 Presidential Election
The proposed consensus arrangement could become an important feature of the opposition’s preparations for the 2027 presidential election.
If the parties reach an agreement, they would be expected to coordinate their political activities and encourage supporters to rally behind the selected candidate.
However, the success of the plan will depend on whether the parties can resolve their disagreements, agree on a selection process and persuade their supporters to accept the eventual decision.
The possibility of announcing a candidate only days before the election also raises questions about the time available for the candidate to communicate the coalition’s programme to voters and organise a nationwide campaign.
For President Tinubu and the APC, the outcome of the opposition negotiations will be one of several developments shaping the political contest ahead of 2027.
Nevertheless, the opposition has not yet announced a consensus candidate, and the eventual outcome of the negotiations remains uncertain.
No Final Decision Yet
Despite Lukman’s confidence, the proposed alliance remains a work in progress.
The participating parties must still agree on the candidate-selection framework, reconcile their competing interests and establish a shared policy agenda.
Whether the process produces a single presidential candidate or another form of electoral cooperation will become clearer as consultations continue.
For now, Nigerians will be watching to see whether opposition leaders can translate their calls for unity into a concrete agreement before the 2027 general election.
