Nigeria’s major opposition political parties are set to begin formal discussions on possible cooperation ahead of the 2027 general election at a summit in Abuja on Monday.
The First Summit of Key Stakeholders of Nigeria’s Opposition Political Parties, convened by the G100, will take place at the Yar’Adua Centre under the theme, “A Framework for Opposition Cooperation and Coordination”.
The meeting is expected to bring together leaders and key stakeholders from six opposition parties — the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), National Democratic Congress (NDC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) and Social Democratic Party (SDP).
According to the organisers, the summit is intended to begin structured negotiations on the principles, institutions and terms that could underpin cooperation among the opposition parties ahead of the 2027 election.
The meeting follows the publication by the G100 on August 2 of its “Doctrine of a Necessary Democratic Opposition” and a series of consultations with the leadership of the six parties.
The consultations produced a joint briefing document titled “A Framework for Opposition Cooperation and Coordination”, which identified areas of common ground while acknowledging the parties’ different histories, identities and political interests.
The organisers said the discussions had been driven by a shared recognition of the need for a credible, organised and competitive opposition, as well as a willingness to address the challenges involved in forging meaningful cooperation before the next general election.
“Cooperation does not require any party to disappear into another. The first question before party leaders is not who leads the ticket. It is what we are, together, prepared to do for this country,” the G100 said.
The summit is not expected to resolve issues surrounding a joint presidential candidate or determine the final structure of any opposition alliance.
Instead, the organisers said its immediate objective was to establish a formal framework through which such issues could be discussed and negotiated collectively and transparently.
Each participating party is expected to send a delegation comprising national leaders and other key stakeholders. The organisers said the broader representation would allow the discussions to incorporate different political perspectives and interests beyond the principal party leadership.
Among the proposals expected to be considered is the creation of mechanisms to facilitate further negotiations and cooperation, including five specialised working groups.
Subject to approval by the participating parties, the proposed structures would be tasked with producing the key documents and agreements needed to formalise opposition cooperation within four weeks.
Expected participants include national chairmen, party leaders and members of the National Working Committees of the six parties, as well as presidential candidates and running mates of the participating parties.
G100 signatories and members of the House of Representatives’ Minority Caucus are also expected to attend.
The G100 said it would serve as facilitator and observer rather than assume the constitutional or decision-making responsibilities of the political parties.
It stressed that any decisions resulting from the process would remain with the participating parties.
The summit is scheduled to begin at 10am on Monday at the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja.
