Opposition stakeholders under the G100 alliance considered a possible second round of voting in the 2027 presidential election. This followed ongoing efforts to persuade Atiku Abubakar, the African Democratic Congress presidential candidate and former Vice-President, and Peter Obi, the Nigeria Democratic Congress candidate and former Anambra State governor, to support a single opposition candidate.
Sources within the G100 told Saturday Punch that consultations with both men continued. At the same time, the group examined other forms of cooperation if the push for a consensus candidate failed. Recent meetings between some G100 stakeholders and the two opposition figures sought to secure their participation in the broader framework.
The G100 had earlier proposed that opposition parties work towards one presidential candidate for the 2027 election. However, the camps of Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi maintained their individual presidential ambitions while supporting wider opposition cooperation.
One source stated that both leaders had not shown any inclination or acceptance of the single candidacy at that time. He added that other plans existed. “There are other reasons why these G100 opposition leaders need to continue to engage before, during and even after the election,” the source said. “The plan may include a possible run-off or other issues that may come up. So, these are the issues. These are why these meetings were convened: to bring Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi back to the table and get their commitment to the ongoing discussion.”
Another source noted that the two major opposition leaders seemed less concerned about the single-candidacy plan. He explained that research and statistics suggested no straight-up easy winner might emerge in the first round.
“So, part of the plan now is that if we cannot achieve a single candidate for the opposition leaders, in the case of a run-off, this ongoing discussion will make it quite easy for the opposition parties to queue behind one candidate and work together,” he said.
Under Section 134 of the Constitution, a second election may be held if no candidate meets the required thresholds. Meanwhile, Ini Ememobong, National Publicity Secretary of the Tanimu Turaki-led PDP faction, confirmed the group’s commitment.
He said the only way to rescue Nigeria was for opposition parties to come together. Abubakar Yusuf, APM National Publicity Secretary, also confirmed continued participation but stated that Seyi Makinde, the party’s presidential candidate, remained in the race.
