A closed-door meeting between African Democratic Congress presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar and coalition leaders took place at Atiku's Abuja residence on Tuesday night. The meeting was attended by the National Chairman of the Peoples Redemption Party, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, and other figures involved in efforts to bring opposition parties and political leaders together. Members of Atiku's campaign council also attended the meeting, which aimed to develop a broader opposition alliance ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The PRP National Publicity Secretary, Muhammed Ishaq, confirmed the meeting in a statement issued on Wednesday. Ishaq said the engagement formed part of wider consultations aimed at strengthening cooperation among opposition parties and political figures ahead of the 2027 elections. He described the meeting as a source of "tremendous inspiration" to those involved and said consultations would continue with other opposition party leaders and presidential candidates.
The latest meeting comes as several opposition groups explore ways to reduce the number of presidential candidates from the opposition camp in 2027. One initiative, the Movement for Credible Elections, has commenced consultations with opposition presidential candidates and leaders of their political parties. The consultations are being coordinated by Professor Pat Utomi, who chairs the MCE Political Commission.
The MCE has identified several opposition figures for consultations, including Atiku, Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Adewole Adebayo of the Social Democratic Party, and Seyi Makinde of the Allied Peoples Movement. The organisation said the meetings would be held behind closed doors due to the sensitive nature of the negotiations. The MCE aims to facilitate discussions that could lead to a common opposition presidential candidate.
According to the MCE, the closed-door engagements will give political parties and presidential aspirants the opportunity to discuss difficult issues without external pressure or interference. The organisation stressed that the process would not simply involve asking presidential candidates to withdraw from the race. Any eventual agreement would have to be based on rules accepted by the participating parties and aspirants.
The MCE identified credibility, transparency, fairness, due process, and a level playing field as principles expected to guide the process. The organisation also said parties and candidates would participate in determining how an eventual opposition candidate would be selected and endorsed. The proposed alliance should be based on a common programme rather than being driven solely by political personalities.
Another initiative, known as G100, has also been engaging opposition parties and political leaders on the possibility of cooperation. The various initiatives are taking place as opposition politicians face the question of whether to contest the 2027 presidential election separately or seek a common platform. The meetings and consultations aim to strengthen cooperation among opposition parties and give Nigeria a new lease on life.
Key points
- Opposition leaders meet Atiku Abubakar to discuss coalition ahead of 2027 presidential election
- Movement for Credible Elections initiates consultations with opposition presidential candidates
- Proposed opposition alliance aims to be based on a common programme rather than individual personalities
