2027: Opposition to name single presidential candidate before polls – Lukman
By Omeiza Ajayi
Salihu Lukman, the convener of the G100 political pressure group, announced that opposition parties collaborating with the organization plan to unveil a single presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections, potentially just days before the election.
Lukman, a former National Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), shared this update during an appearance on Channels Television’s program Hard Copy.
“I can tell you categorically that the leadership of the parties involved is committed and actively taking necessary steps toward this goal,” he said. “This could happen anywhere from two months to just a few days before the election, when they will inform Nigerians about their direction.”
He noted that the initiative has expanded beyond the six parties currently participating, with efforts to engage additional parties underway. The G100 was established following an all-opposition summit in Ibadan in April 2026, where attendees agreed to present a consensus candidate against the ruling APC.
Lukman explained that the parties have now assumed responsibility for the process. “When the parties took ownership of the initiative, they began engaging with each other to build the necessary confidence to collaborate effectively,” he stated.
He emphasized that a major challenge remains the lack of trust among the parties and candidates. A summit held on August 31 resulted in the formation of five working groups, one of which is focused on selecting a single consensus candidate. Each party will contribute members to this group, either through their candidates or party representatives, according to agreed-upon terms.
“The collegiate approach ensures that decisions are made by the parties and their candidates, with representatives who have mandates from each party,” Lukman added.
When asked how the G100 aims to address the supporters of prominent figures such as Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar, and members of the Kwankwasiyya movement, who may resist compromise, Lukman argued that inflexible positions benefit the ruling party.
“Adopting a hardline stance essentially aids the APC and the Tinubu government at this moment,” he said, adding that many who signed the G100’s open letter support either Obi or Atiku, but the group has emphasized that national interest outweighs individual preferences.
Lukman referred to a recent statement by John Cardinal Onaiyekan on Channels Television, who pointed out that opposition candidates cannot expect to win while splitting votes five ways. “The arithmetic is straightforward: you cannot divide votes among five candidates and hope for victory,” he stated.
Regarding the different manifestos among the parties, including the Social Democratic Party’s candidate’s proposal for a 300 naira starting pump price for petrol, Lukman clarified that the group will not merge these documents. Instead, they aim to develop a minimum program of action for the potential government after the 2027 elections, which all candidates will agree to beforehand.
“There will be no debates on this matter if any candidate emerges,” Lukman said, noting that the groundwork for this initiative is already in place, as the individual candidates have developed their own campaign positions.
He remarked that the outcome may favor the African Democratic Congress (ADC) or another party, or result in the creation of a new alliance. “I do not aspire to contest elections or hold any appointive or elective office,” he added.
Lukman cautioned against candidates clinging to their positions, stating, “Politicians may mislead themselves, but ultimately, only one person will become president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Additionally, he mentioned his recent withdrawal and subsequent reinstatement of membership in the African Democratic Congress, attributing the initial decision to internal issues in Kaduna. He expressed concern that the party appeared to be diverging toward a path reminiscent of the old parties he and others had previously departed.
