By Nelson Ogbu
Momentum is building towards what could become Nigeria's most significant opposition realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections, as the G100 has concluded strategic consultations with the leadership of six major opposition political parties and fixed August 18 for a national summit on opposition unity.
The consultations, which were conducted behind closed doors, involved the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), Allied People's Movement (APM), National Democratic Coalition (NDC), and Peoples Redemption Party (PRP). National chairmen, presidential candidates and their running mates participated in the high-level engagements.
In a statement issued on Monday and signed by Salihu Moh. Lukman on behalf of the G100, the group described the meetings as frank, constructive and encouraging, revealing a growing consensus among opposition leaders that only a united political front can effectively challenge the ruling establishment in 2027.
The consultations followed the release of the G100's Open Letter of August 2, which unveiled its Doctrine of Necessary Democratic Opposition, a framework advocating broad-based collaboration among opposition parties to strengthen Nigeria's democracy and offer Nigerians a credible alternative.
The group explained that the meetings were intentionally kept away from public scrutiny to allow party leaders to engage freely on sensitive political issues without the distractions of media speculation.
According to the statement, opposition leaders acknowledged that genuine political cooperation would demand sacrifice, compromise and a willingness to subordinate personal ambitions and partisan interests to the broader national interest.
Buoyed by the outcome of the consultations, the G100 announced that a Summit of Opposition Parties will hold on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, in Abuja, where participating parties are expected to begin formal discussions on practical pathways towards greater cooperation ahead of the next general elections.
The coalition stressed that it has no intention of imposing any political arrangement on the parties but would instead serve as an honest facilitator, helping to build trust and create an atmosphere for meaningful negotiations on coalition-building and collective political action.
It added that preparations for the summit are being jointly coordinated with representatives of the participating parties to ensure that the process remains inclusive, transparent and mutually beneficial.
The statement also reaffirmed the principles of the Ibadan Declaration, insisting that Nigeria's democracy can only flourish when citizens are presented with a credible, united and competitive opposition capable of winning power through the ballot.
Warning against continued fragmentation within the opposition, the G100 argued that political disunity would only strengthen the ruling party and deny Nigerians the robust democratic choices they deserve.
"The consultations of the past week represent only the beginning," the statement noted, adding that the road to opposition unity would require patience, courage, mutual trust and considerable sacrifice from all stakeholders.
Political observers believe the August 18 summit could become a defining moment in Nigeria's opposition politics as parties weigh the prospects of forging a formidable alliance capable of reshaping the political landscape ahead of the 2027 elections.
