RismadarVoice Reporters
November 9, 2026
A chieftain of the G-100 political pressure group, Umanu Elijah, has said efforts to produce a consensus opposition presidential candidate for the 2027 general election have failed because political leaders disagree.
Elijah said opposition presidential candidates had shown little willingness to abandon their individual ambitions in favour of a candidate to challenge President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He made the remarks during a telephone interview with The PUNCH on Sunday.
According to Elijah, the continued campaign activities of opposition parties indicate that the proposed single-candidate arrangement has made little progress.
He argued that the unwillingness of presidential contenders to make concessions had undermined efforts to establish a united opposition platform.
The G-100 initiative, convened by former Director-General of the Progressives Governors’ Forum, Salihu Lukman, was established to encourage cooperation among opposition parties ahead of the 2027 election.
The group previously held consultations involving former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and other political figures.
The discussions were intended to explore areas of cooperation, including the possibility of selecting a common presidential candidate.
However, Elijah said the initiative had failed to secure the compromises necessary to achieve that objective.
He cited ongoing campaign activities by the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Allied Peoples Movement (APM) and other opposition parties as evidence of the difficulties confronting the proposal.
His assessment contrasts with earlier remarks by Lukman, who maintained in October that negotiations were continuing and that opposition parties could still agree on a common candidate closer to the election.
Lukman had acknowledged disagreements and mistrust among participating parties but expressed confidence in their willingness to pursue cooperation.
The ADC has also clarified that its participation in G-100 discussions is primarily focused on electoral cooperation rather than an agreement to withdraw its presidential candidate.
The broader initiative involves several opposition parties, including the ADC, Nigeria Democratic Congress, APM, Social Democratic Party, Peoples Democratic Party and Peoples Redemption Party.
Although consultations have taken place, no binding agreement on a joint presidential ticket has been publicly announced.
Elijah’s latest comments therefore reflect his assessment of the coalition’s prospects rather than a formal announcement dissolving the initiative.
Efforts by The PUNCH to obtain Lukman’s reaction were unsuccessful at the time of its report.
The development highlights continuing disagreements among opposition parties over political cooperation and presidential candidacy ahead of the 2027 general election.
