Atiku, Obi Absent as Opposition Parties Begin Talks on Single 2027 Candidate

Atiku, Obi Absent as Opposition Parties Begin Talks on Single 2027 Candidate

Opposition parties in Nigeria opened fresh negotiations in Abuja on Monday over the possibility of presenting a single presidential candidate against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 election.The summit, convened by the G-100 political pressure group at the Yar’Adua Centre, brought together representatives of six parties  the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), and Social Democratic Party (SDP).Among those present were PRP presidential candidate Donald Duke, SDP candidate Adewale Adebayo, Democratic Leadership Alliance candidate Moses Olusoji, and APM vice-presidential candidate Lawan Daura.However, two of the opposition’s most prominent figures  ADC candidate Atiku Abubakar and NDC candidate Peter Obi  were absent. Their absence was not officially explained, though sources suggested both men were monitoring the process before deciding on their involvement.A source familiar with the talks said Atiku may view the initiative as “late,” given that parties had already produced their candidates, while Obi’s absence was linked to ongoing political calculations around a potential alliance with former Kano governor Rabiu Kwankwaso.Despite the absences, PDP spokesman Afam Ogene and Atiku’s aide Phrank Shaibu stressed that both leaders remained supportive of opposition unity. Shaibu said Atiku’s absence was “unavoidable” and should not be misinterpreted as a boycott, adding that the former vice president was committed to building a “broad, disciplined and united opposition” to challenge the APC in 2027.Donald Duke pledged to back any consensus candidate that emerges, saying: “We will support any political party that emerges in 2027. Whatever decision is arrived at today, I will not walk away but will strive all along because that’s what the people want to see.”Opening the summit, G-100 convener Salihu Lukman reminded participants that opposition parties collectively secured about 13 million votes in 2023 more than President Bola Tinubu’s tally but lost due to fragmentation. He urged them to learn from the 2015 alliance that produced the APC, stressing the need for agreed rules and structures rather than personal ambition.The negotiations mark a renewed push for opposition unity as political realignments intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Source: Atiku, Obi Absent as Opposition Parties Begin Talks on Single 2027 Candidate



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