A group of opposition politicians pushing for a consensus presidential candidate in the 2027 polls, G-100, has charged opposition leaders, including the presidential candidates of the major opposition political parties, to choose cooperation over division.

The G-100, in a statement by Salihu Lukman, yesterday, ahead of the Summit of Opposition Political Parties, scheduled for today, in Abuja, urged the parties to approach the parley with the understanding that they are stronger together.

The G-100 recently initiated moves to get Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Seyi Makinde, presidential candidates of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and Allied Peoples Movement (APM), respectively, as well as the leadership of their political parties to work together for the 2027 presidential election.

Also included in the proposed opposition alliance are the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its presidential candidate, Adewale Adebayo and the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) and its presidential candidate, Donald Duke, as well as the Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives.

The G-100 had in an August 2 open letter to the opposition political parties, their presidential candidates and running mates, as well as leaders of thought and civil society organisations (CSOs), titled, “The Doctrine of a Necessary Democratic Opposition,” appealed to the opposition leaders to put the national interest above personal ambition. It stated that there was a need for the opposition parties to forge a common front for the 2027 presidential contest so as to improve their chances of defeating President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in next year’s poll.

The group noted that today’s summit affords the opposition leaders an opportunity to build a framework for cooperation in the run up to the 2027 polls, while respecting the identity and structures of participating parties. It noted that “there will be disagreements, competing ambitions and difficult conversations. These are natural in politics, but none should prevent us from recognising the greater danger of allowing our differences to deny Nigerians a credible alternative.”

The G-100 explained that “across the country, millions of Nigerians are looking to the opposition not merely to criticise the government of the day, but to demonstrate the maturity, discipline and sense of national purpose required to offer a credible alternative.

“The G100 recognises that every political party has its own history, identity, ambitions and legitimate interests. Cooperation does not require any party to surrender these. Nor does it require political leaders to abandon their aspirations. It simply requires the wisdom to recognise that there are moments when what unites us must become more important than what separates us.”

Furthermore, the group noted that “The experience of elections in Nigeria and elsewhere has repeatedly demonstrated that a divided opposition often strengthens the incumbent. When parties competing for the same broad constituency fragment their energies, resources and votes, they risk turning their differences into an unintended advantage for those they seek to replace.

“Division is a choice. Cooperation must now become a strategy. The G100, therefore, appeals to every participating party and leader to come to the table in good faith, with an open mind and with the larger interests of Nigeria at heart

“Tomorrow is not about declaring winners or losers within the opposition. It is about beginning the work of ensuring that Nigerian democracy wins. Alone, each opposition party can make its case. Together, the opposition can change the course of the country.” (The Sun)