Efforts by the G-100 to produce a consensus presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 election may be facing fresh hurdles as the presidential candidates of the African Democratic Congress, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar; the Nigeria Democratic Congress, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi; and the Allied Peoples’ Movement, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, have maintained their presidential ambitions.

A member of the G-100, a coalition of political groups and stakeholders advocating a united opposition front, Ambassador Umanu Elijah, however, expressed confidence that consultations would be concluded and an agreement reached on a consensus candidate by September 30.

The push appears to have met resistance from the camps of Atiku, Obi and Makinde, with none of the three indicating that the are prepared to withdraw from the race in favour of another aspirant. Rather, they have continued to project themselves as viable candidates, fuelling uncertainty over the possibility of a single-ticket arrangement.

Meanwhile, the African Action Congress, DLA, Allied Peoples’ Movement and Action Democratic Party, among others, have rejected suggestions that their presidential candidates would step down for another aspirant.

The development has further complicated efforts to achieve a broad opposition consensus, with the parties insisting on retaining their candidates ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The opposition leaders, in their bid to foster unity among stakeholders ahead of the 2027 elections, recently convened at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja for the G-100 Alliance Summit.

The meeting brought together representatives of six opposition political parties to discuss possible areas of cooperation ahead of the general elections.

The summit was part of broader efforts by opposition parties to forge a common platform for collaboration and build a formidable political force capable of mounting a strong challenge to the ruling All Progressives Congress and its candidate, President Bola Tinubu.

The media aide to the former Vice-President, Paul Ibe, declined to comment on the matter.

However, a trusted ally of Atiku said the former Vice-President was not opposed to an alliance, arguing that the opposition coalition had given birth to the ADC.

That is why leaders from different political parties came together and adopted the ADC as the platform for the opposition leaders’ coalition ahead of the 2027 election. Atiku Abubakar is now the candidate, while others are still talking about coalition, alliance and the G-100.

Yusuf said although discussions on a possible opposition consensus were ongoing, Makinde had not stepped down for any candidate and could still emerge as the consensus choice.

The NDC National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, said the party was open to discussions on a consensus presidential candidate for the opposition, stressing that its candidate remained one of the strongest contenders and had a strong chance of emerging as the preferred choice.

On his part, the African Action Congress presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, rejected calls for opposition politicians to unite behind a single presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He stated this while responding to questions on whether he would step down if opposition politicians reached an agreement on a consensus presidential candidate.

He argued that political cooperation should be anchored on a common ideology and a clear development agenda, rather than merely seeking to dislodge the ruling All Progressives Congress.

According to him, the Africa Action Congress and its supporters were seeking a fundamental transformation of the country rather than simply replacing one set of politicians with another.

“The African Action Congress and our movement are not in this struggle merely to remove the APC and replace it with another collection of politicians who have participated in creating the same problems,” Sowore added.

He said his movement was campaigning for economic justice, decent wages, free and quality education, universal healthcare, uninterrupted electricity, affordable housing, improved security and accountable governance.

On whether he would withdraw from the presidential race to support a consensus opposition candidate, Sowore said he would not surrender what he described as the aspirations of millions of Nigerians to an elite political arrangement.

Similarly, the presidential campaign spokesperson for the Democratic Leadership Alliance, Tosin Odeyemi, said the party did not support the single-candidate arrangement.

The Young Progressives Party presidential candidate, Peter Agada, however, said he could consider such an arrangement if it was based on a clear ideology and development framework.

Agada said a consensus candidate would only be acceptable if the arrangement was designed to transfer political power to the grassroots and strengthen the economy.