2027: Opposition division could hand Tinubu another victory, G100 warns

By Jude Opara

The opposition’s ability to unseat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027 could depend largely on whether its major political parties can overcome their differences and forge a common strategy, the G100 has warned.

The group issued the warning during the weekend, a day before the First Summit of Nigeria’s Opposition Political Parties scheduled to hold at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja.

In a statement signed by Salihu Moh. Lukman on behalf of the G100, the group said continued fragmentation among opposition parties could inadvertently strengthen the incumbent by dividing opposition votes, resources and political structures.

It urged opposition leaders attending the summit to move beyond individual party interests and begin building a practical framework for cooperation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“The experience of elections in Nigeria and elsewhere has repeatedly demonstrated that a divided opposition often strengthens the incumbent,” the group said.

“When parties competing for the same broad constituency fragment their energies, resources and votes, they risk turning their differences into an unintended advantage for those they seek to replace.”

The G100 said the summit was taking place at a critical point for Nigeria’s democracy, with millions of citizens expecting the opposition to offer more than criticism of the government.

It said opposition parties must demonstrate the discipline, maturity and national purpose required to present Nigerians with a credible alternative.

Although the participating parties have different histories, identities, ambitions and interests, the group argued that those differences should not prevent them from cooperating on issues of common interest.

“The G100 recognizes that every political party has its own history, identity, ambitions and legitimate interests. Cooperation does not require any party to surrender these.

“It simply requires the wisdom to recognize that there are moments when what unites us must become more important than what separates us,” it said.

The group called on the parties to make cooperation a deliberate political strategy rather than an electoral afterthought.

“Division is a choice. Cooperation must now become a strategy,” it declared.

According to the G100, Monday’s summit should produce practical mechanisms for sustained dialogue, coordination and cooperation while allowing individual parties to retain their identities and organizational structures.

It cautioned, however, that disagreements and competing political ambitions were inevitable and should not be allowed to derail efforts to construct a credible opposition platform.

“There will be disagreements, competing ambitions and difficult conversations. These are natural in politics.

“But none should prevent us from recognizing the greater danger of allowing our differences to deny Nigerians a credible alternative,” the group said.

The G100 also urged opposition leaders not to turn the summit into a contest over which party or politician would dominate the emerging opposition coalition.

“Tomorrow is not about declaring winners or losers within the opposition. It is about beginning the work of ensuring that Nigerian democracy wins,” it said.

The group said the significance of the meeting extended beyond the political fortunes of individual parties and leaders, stressing that Nigerians were looking to the opposition to provide a viable alternative ahead of 2027.

“Alone, each opposition party can make its case. Together, the opposition can change the course of the country,” it said.

The G100 urged participants to approach the summit with open minds and in good faith, describing the gathering as an opportunity that the opposition could not afford to squander.

“History has presented the opposition with an opportunity. We must be wise enough not to waste it,” the group said.