By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja
One hundred prominent Nigerians, drawn from across the opposition, civil society, academia, public policy and the broader civic space, have launched a new national initiative which they called ‘The Doctrine of a Necessary Democratic Opposition.”
The initiative, they pointed out, was aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s democratic opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Released under the banner of G100, the declaration maintained that Nigeria’s present crisis is not merely economic or political, but fundamentally structural, insisting that no lasting national renewal is possible without a strong, principled and united democratic opposition capable of holding government accountable and offering Nigerians a credible alternative.
The initiative comes at a time of growing concern over the fragmentation of Nigeria’s opposition and what its promoters described as the gradual weakening of democratic accountability. According to the declaration, democracy cannot flourish where those entrusted with offering an alternative remain divided by personal ambition rather than united by national purpose.
The declaration is endorsed by one hundred Nigerians drawn from across the political and civic landscape.
Among the first signatories are Salihu Moh. Lukman, Hon. Nnena Ukeje, Elder Simon Achuba, Dr. Akilu Indabawa, Hon. Annie Ekeh, Prof. Anthony Kila, Dr. Awalu Anwar, Dr. Emeka Ejikonye, Dr. Ibrahim Moddibo, Dr. Ladan Salihu, Dr. Ayokunle Fagbemi, Amb. RBW Onemola, and Hon. Sergios Ogun, representing a cross section of opposition leaders, members of civil society organisations, policy experts and democratic reformers.
Other signatories include new generation thought leaders, political organisers, communications strategists, civic advocates and public policy voices such as Abubakar Jibrin Ahmed, Ose Anenih, Salihu Tanko Yakasai, Zainab Buba Galadima, Itunu Akinmosin, Aliyu Audu, Helen Yashin, Barrister Ita Essien, Henry Oqua, Salisu Abdullai, Aminu Datti Ahmed, Ambassador Serah Ibrahim, Hon. Kalgo Idris, Hauwa Ashafa, Jackie Wayas, Ikagbo Gabriel, Ilemona Onoja and Olu Onemola, underscoring the breadth of support for the initiative among Nigeria’s emerging democratic leadership.
In one of the declaration’s strongest sections, the G100 addresses leading opposition figures directly, naming Senator David Mark, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Mr. Peter Obi, Governor Seyi Makinde, Senator Bala Mohammed, Senator Seriake Dickson, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Alhaji Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, Mr. Donald Duke, Prof. Sadiq Umar Abubakar Gombe and Prince Adewole Adebayo, urging them to rise above personal ambition and negotiate a united front for the 2027 elections.
The declaration poses what it describes as the defining political question before the opposition: how does a fractured opposition expect to defeat a ruling party if it cannot first unite around a common purpose?
It argued that before Nigerians are asked once again for their votes, opposition leaders owe the country a credible answer on how they intend to win while divided.
The G100 warns that the stakes could not be higher, declaring:
“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.”
The declaration also reminds opposition leaders that history will judge their choices, stating:
“History has little regard for frustrated ambition. It reserves its highest honour for those who place country above self.”
As part of the initiative, the G100 announced that it will convene a National Council of Opposition Leaders within the next two weeks, bringing together opposition leaders from across the country to negotiate a common programme, a common strategy and a united path towards the emergence of a single presidential standard-bearer for the democratic opposition.
The meeting will also reaffirm the spirit of the Ibadan Declaration as the basis for building a stronger and more coordinated opposition ahead of 2027.
According to the declaration, “the initiative is not intended to promote any individual candidate or political tendency, but to safeguard democratic competition, strengthen democratic institutions and ensure Nigerians are presented with a credible alternative capable of renewing confidence in the Republic”.
The G100 said the Doctrine is ultimately a call for leaders to place country above self, warning that history rarely forgives those who fail to unite when their nation needs them most.
It urged opposition leaders, civil society and citizens alike to seize what it described as a defining moment for Nigeria’s democracy and work together to preserve genuine democratic choice for future generations.
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