…Moves to convene national council of opposition leaders
One hundred prominent Nigerians have unveiled a new national initiative designed to forge a united democratic opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that Nigeria’s democracy risks further erosion if opposition leaders remain fragmented.
Operating under the G100 platform, the coalition on Sunday launched what it called “The Doctrine of a Necessary Democratic Opposition,” arguing that Nigeria’s deepening political and economic challenges are fundamentally structural and cannot be resolved without a strong, principled and coordinated opposition capable of holding the government accountable while offering Nigerians a credible alternative.
The declaration came amid growing concerns over the splintering of opposition parties and what its promoters described as the steady weakening of democratic accountability.
According to the group, democracy cannot thrive where those expected to provide an alternative to the ruling party are divided by personal ambition instead of uniting by a shared national purpose.
Among the first signatories are Salihu Mohammed Lukman, Nnena Ukeje, Elder Simon Achuba, Akilu Indabawa, Annie Ekeh, Prof. Anthony Kila, Awalu Anwar, Emeka Ejikonye, Ibrahim Moddibo, Ladan Salihu, Ayokunle Fagbemi, Ambassador RBW Onemola and Sergios Ogun, representing a broad spectrum of opposition politicians, civil society leaders, public policy experts and democratic reform advocates.
Other signatories include Abubakar Jibrin Ahmed, Ose Anenih, Salihu Tanko Yakasai, Zainab Buba Galadima, Itunu Akinmosin, Aliyu Audu, Helen Yashin, Barrister Ita Essien, Henry Oqua, Salisu Abdullahi, Aminu Datti Ahmed, Ambassador Serah Ibrahim, Hon. Kalgo Idris, Hauwa Ashafa, Jackie Wayas, Ikagbo Gabriel, Ilemona Onoja and Olu Onemola, underscoring what the group described as broad support among Nigeria’s emerging political and civic leadership.
In one of the declaration’s strongest interventions, the G100 directly challenged leading opposition figures, including 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, Sadiq Umar Abubakar Gombe and Adewole Adebayo, urging them to put aside personal ambitions and negotiate a united front ahead of the 2027 elections.
The declaration framed the opposition’s biggest challenge in stark terms, asking how a fractured opposition expects to defeat the ruling party when it has failed to unite around a common purpose.
It argued that before Nigerians are asked once again to entrust them with power, opposition leaders must first explain how they intend to secure victory while remaining divided.
Warning that the country’s democratic future hangs in the balance, the group declared:
“The hour is too grave for scattered ambition and private calculation. Nigeria cannot be rescued by opposition leaders who march separately toward the same defeat.”
As part of its roadmap, the G100 announced plans to convene a National Council of Opposition Leaders within the next two weeks to negotiate a common programme, harmonise strategy and chart a pathway towards producing a single presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 polls.
The meeting, it said, will also reaffirm the principles of the Ibadan Declaration as the foundation for building a more coordinated and effective opposition movement.
The coalition stressed that the initiative is not designed to promote any particular aspirant or political bloc but to strengthen democratic competition, reinforce accountability and ensure Nigerians are presented with a viable alternative capable of restoring confidence in the country’s democratic process.
Comments
Start the conversation about this story.