The G-100 coalition is working to select a single candidate to face President Bola Tinubu in 2027. Sadiq Gombe, the Social Democratic Party's national chairman, announced this in Abuja on Wednesday. The coalition was inaugurating its legal and media committees. Gombe said the parties are making significant progress. He expects major breakthroughs before year-end.
Nigeria’s opposition has fragmented repeatedly. In 2013, four parties merged to form the APC and defeated an incumbent president. In 2019, dozens of parties signed a unity pact that collapsed. In 2023, the PDP, Labour Party and NNPP ran separate campaigns. That split handed the APC a plurality victory. The G-100 is the latest attempt to avoid a repeat. The coalition includes the SDP, the African Democratic Congress, the Nigeria Democratic Congress, the Peoples Redemption Party, the Peoples Democratic Party and the Allied Peoples Movement.
The candidates under consideration are Atiku Abubakar of the ADC, Peter Obi of the NDC, Donald Duke of the PRP and Adewale Adebayo of the SDP. Gombe said party leaders have been engaging the candidates. The candidates themselves have begun discussions. “Our ambition is to present a candidate that can defeat APC and form the next government,” he said. “We are making very good progress.” The legal committee will examine constitutional and electoral implications. The media committee will coordinate joint messaging. Gombe said a single overlooked clause could undo months of negotiation. No selection formula was disclosed.
Separately, Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume asked Atiku and other northern aspirants to withdraw. He argued that the South should complete eight years in office after the North’s term under Muhammadu Buhari. He spoke to a delegation of Knights of St Mulumba.
Winners: The G-100, which shows coordination. The opposition, if it unites. Atiku, Obi, Duke and Adebayo, who gain visibility. Voters, if they get a clear alternative. Losers: The APC, if the opposition coalesces. Smaller parties, which face absorption. Akume, whose zoning argument may be ignored. The candidates, if they cannot agree on a single flag bearer. Nigeria’s political process, if the talks fail.
Bottom Line: Six parties, four candidates, one goal. The G-100 wants a single ticket. The talks are progressing. The egos are real. Unity wins elections. Division loses them. The deadline is the end of the year. The opposition has been here before. This time, it says it will deliver.