A group of 100 well-known Nigerians called the G-100 has said that only a united opposition can stop what they see as the slow decline of Nigeria’s democracy and the ongoing control of the ruling All Progressives Congress.
In a seven-page open letter titled, "The doctrine of a necessary democratic Opposition," dated August 2, 2026, the group asked major opposition figures, including African Democratic Congress presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, Nigeria Democratic Congress candidate Peter Obi, former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi, and former Kano State governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, to put aside personal ambitions. They want these leaders to negotiate a single presidential candidate for the 2027 election.
The letter, signed by former APC National Vice Chairman (North-West) Salihu Lukman, former House of Representatives member Nnenna Ukeje, ex-Kogi State Deputy Governor Simon Achuba, Professor Anthony Kila, and 96 others, argued that Nigeria’s democratic future relies on offering a credible and unified alternative to the current government.
The group stated that the biggest threat to Nigeria is not just economic troubles but the slow weakening of democratic institutions due to a divided opposition and increasing political power concentration.
"There are seasons in the life of every nation when neutrality becomes a form of consent, and silence becomes an accomplice to decline. Nigeria has entered such a season," the letter said in part.
The group pointed out that the country’s issues go beyond inflation, unemployment, and poverty. They believe the deeper problem is a political system that rewards loyalty instead of skill and patronage instead of public service.
"We have created a political order that often rewards loyalty over merit, patronage over service, and power over accountability. We should not be surprised that such a system leads to poverty and suffering, because a nation cannot benefit from institutions that maintain poverty and hardship," it said.
The G-100 warned that while the ruling APC continues to gain strength, opposition parties are distracted by their own internal conflicts instead of building a strong electoral alternative.
"The ruling party gets stronger, not just because of its own organization, but because it has silenced internal dissent under the authority of the executive.
"Meanwhile, those who should provide Nigerians with an alternative are divided by ambition rather than united by a common goal. While the ruling party consolidates power, the opposition is falling apart," they lamented.
The coalition insisted that democracy cannot survive without a strong opposition that can peacefully replace the government through elections. They called this principle the "Doctrine of a necessary democratic opposition."
The letter continued, "The freedom of a people depends not only on having a government but also on the assurance that the government can be peacefully challenged, corrected, and, when necessary, replaced. A government that fears no opposition soon forgets the people. An opposition that cannot oppose soon forgets its purpose."
The group plans to hold a National Council of Opposition Leaders within the next two weeks. They expect leading opposition politicians, including Atiku, Obi, Kwankwaso, Amaechi, Makinde, and former Senate President David Mark, as well as ex-Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola, to discuss a common political strategy and agree on a single presidential candidate.
"We therefore urge the leaders of the opposition to come together and negotiate seriously how the 2027 election should be fought as a united front.
"Let that negotiation focus on building a strong single opposition candidate with a shared purpose, a shared program, a shared strategy, and a shared commitment to save Nigeria," the group stated.
The coalition warned that opposition leaders who choose to chase personal presidential ambitions risk giving President Bola Tinubu another victory.
"Nigeria cannot be saved by opposition leaders who march alone toward the same defeat. Personal ambitions must take a back seat to national needs, because a divided people at the time of decision will stay under the control of those who benefit from that division," they argued.
According to the G-100, the upcoming national meeting will seek to get what they call "a solemn covenant" from opposition leaders, putting national interests above personal political goals.
They said the gathering will reaffirm the principles from the Ibadan Declaration of April 2026 as the basis for selecting a consensus presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 elections.
Drop your comment
No comments yet — be the first to drop the gist 👇