…Summons Atiku, Obi, others to National Council of Opposition Leaders

By Omeiza Ajayi

ABUJA: An anti-Bola Tinubu coalition of 100 Nigerians under the aegis of G-100 has called on leaders of the opposition to unite behind a single presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 general election, warning that a divided opposition cannot defeat what it described as a consolidating ruling party.

In an open letter titled “The Doctrine of a Necessary Democratic Opposition,” the group said it would convene a National Council of Opposition Leaders within two weeks, where every aspirant would be confronted with what it called the bar of patriotism.

“Within the next two weeks, we shall convene a National Council of Opposition Leaders, where every candidate’s ambition shall be summoned before the bar of patriotism and every man or woman shall be asked a single question: whether he or she seeks to contest the 2027 elections for himself or herself, or the salvation of Nigeria,” the group stated.

The letter, signed by 100 individuals including former National Vice Chairman, Northwest of the ruling All Progressives Congress APC and founding chieftain of the opposition African Democratic Congress ADC Salihu Moh. Lukman, former federal lawmaker, Hon. Nnena Ukeje, former Kogi state deputy governor, Elder Simon Achuba and Dr. Akilu Indabawa, was addressed to opposition leaders expected to shape the 2027 contest, among them Senator David Mark, Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Governor Seyi Makinde, Senator Bala Mohammed, Senator Seriake Dickson, Rotimi Amaechi, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Rauf Aregbesola, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, Donald Duke, Prof. Sadiq Umar Abubakar Gombe and Prince Adewole Adebayo.

G-100 argued that Nigeria’s crisis was structural rather than purely economic or political, blaming a system it said rewards loyalty over merit and patronage over service. “We have fashioned a political order that too often rewards loyalty over merit, patronage over service, and power over accountability,” the group said, adding that “no people have ever repaired their economy while neglecting the condition of their politics.”

The coalition invoked historical precedents to justify its intervention, citing the G34’s opposition to military self-succession and the Doctrine of Necessity invoked during the prolonged absence of late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.

It said democracies do not collapse suddenly but decay gradually. “Democracies rarely perish in a single day. They decay when opposition becomes disorganised, when citizens become indifferent, and when ambition triumphs over principle,” the letter read.

On the planned convention, G-100 said it would build on an earlier resolution reached by opposition figures. “We shall reaffirm the spirit and purpose of the Ibadan Declaration of April 2026, and from that common foundation establish a new and honourable course towards the adoption of a single presidential standard-bearer for the democratic opposition,” the group said, adding that details of the national convocation would be announced in the days ahead.

The group also appealed to civil society, professionals, clergy and labour leaders to speak out, insisting that liberty erodes gradually when citizens tire of defending it. It maintained that no individual has an inherent right to lead Nigeria, stressing that leadership must be earned and remain subject to the judgment of the people.

G-100 said the stakes facing the country go beyond the outcome of a single election. “For God and Country,” the group declared, calling on opposition leaders to place national interest above personal ambition, as no people can hope to defeat a united failure with a divided alternative.

Other signatories to the letter included Prof. Anthony Kila, Dr. Awalu Anwar, Dr. Emeka Ejikonye, Dr. Ibrahim Moddibo, Dr. Ladan Salihu, Dr. Ayokunle Fagbemi, Amb. RBW Onemola, Hon. Sergios Ogun, Olu Onemola, Abubakar Jibrin Ahmed, Ose Anenih, Salihu Tanko Yakasai, Zainab Buba Galadima, Aliyu Audu, Helen Niyet Yashin, Aminu Datti Ahmed, Amb. Serah Ibrahim, Hauwa Ashafa, Jackie Wayas, Ikagbo Gabriel, Umanu Elijah, Ajake Manger, Chris Ighodaro, Nurudeen Mohamed and Isaac Idahosa.

Also on the list were Samuel Abuma, Eddy Ofeosi, Deco Adamu Sule, Julius Oshawa, Jatto Oromosele, Dominion M. A, Thomas Attah, Caleb Garuba, Ernest Igbasheke, Solomon Umanu, Destiny Osikhena, Ahmed Osendril, Mashido Eghage, Eugene Success, Henry Oqua, Saliu Abdullai, Itunu Akinmosin, Hon. Kalgo Idris, Barrister Ita Essen, Abba Wakowa, Kelef Onnu, Joseph Alhassan, Anas Mohammed, Rilwan Ismail and Hadiza Jibrin Wada.

Others were Ahmad Naimat, Lamina Oluwatosin, Hulda David, Lami Irmiya, Linda Paul, Dahiru A. Ahmed, Abdulkarim Zubairu, Abduljalil Muhammed, Muhammad Sanusi David, Ajiya Aisha Abdullahi, Onah Emmanuel Chinonso, Ibrahim Illiasu, Hadiza Shuaibu, Grace Ogah, Ogah Monday, Oga Kel C., Ayat S. Aminu, Amir Ibrahim, Usman Lawal B., Hon. Bukisa Abubakar, Prince Collins Aboegbo, Hon. Yemisi Afolabi, Salim Abdullahi Argungu, Abubakar Sadiq and Abdulkadir Jajere.

Also appending their signatures were Maryam Jubril, Hauwa Suleiman, Mansur Suraj, Salami Idrees, Engr. Wilson Chukwuma, Hajarah Ibrahim, Engr. Yakubu Yahaya, Mariam Muhammed O., Mustapha Musa Suleiman, Musa Mohammed, Prince Obinwanne, Joseph Abati, Deborah Emeh, Thaddeus Ugoh, Christian Jonathan, Kemas Osuji, Christopher Ebezet, Destiny Enabulele, Ilemona Onoja and Ayodeji Oyewunmi.