Television Nigerian

A coalition of 100 prominent Nigerians under the banner of the G-100 has said only a united opposition can avert what it described as the gradual erosion of Nigeria’s democracy and the continued dominance of the ruling All Progressives Congress.

In an open letter of seven pages titled, “The doctrine of a necessary democratic Opposition,” dated August 2, 2026, the group called on key opposition figures, including the African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar; the Nigeria Democratic Congress candidate, Peter Obi; former Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi and former Kano State governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and other political leaders to immediately set aside personal ambitions and negotiate the emergence of a single presidential candidate for the 2027 election.

In a letter signed by former APC National Vice Chairman (North-West), Salihu Lukman, former member, House of Representatives, Nnenna Ukeje, ex- Kogi State Deputy Governor Simon Achuba, Professor Anthony Kila and 96 other signatories, it was argued that Nigeria’s democratic future depends on presenting Nigerians with a credible and united alternative to the current administration.

The greatest threat to Nigeria, according to the group, is not just economic hardship but the gradual weakening of democratic institutions by a fractured opposition and the increasing concentration of political power.

There are times in the life of a nation when neutrality is an assent, silence, an accomplice to decline. “We have entered a season like this in Nigeria,” the letter partly read.

The group said the country’s problems go beyond inflation, unemployment and poverty and insisted the deeper crisis is a political system that rewards loyalty over competence and patronage over public service.

We have created a political order that too often rewards loyalty over merit, patronage over service, and power over accountability. “It is no wonder that such a system produces poverty and misery. A nation cannot reap prosperity from institutions that breed poverty and deprivation,” it said.

The G-100 warned that while the ruling APC continues to consolidate power, opposition parties have become distracted by internal rivalries rather than concentrating on creating a viable electoral alternative.

“The ruling party grows stronger, not only because of its own organisation, but because it has given up internal dissent to the authority of the executive.

“Meanwhile, those given the charge of providing Nigerians with an alternative have been fractured by ambition rather than united by purpose. As the executive consolidates power, the opposition fragments,” it lamented.

The coalition stressed that democracy cannot exist without a credible opposition that can take over the government in elections peacefully.

It called this principle the “Doctrine of a necessary democratic opposition.”

“The liberty of a people depends not only upon the existence of government, but upon the certainty that government may be peacefully challenged, corrected and, when necessary, replaced,” the letter further read. A government that fears no opposition soon forgets the people.” “An opposition that cannot oppose soon forgets why.”

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The group said it would hold a National Council of Opposition Leaders within the next two weeks where top opposition politicians including Atiku, Obi, Kwankwaso, Amaechi, Makinde and ex-Senate President David Mark, as well as former Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola, among others, would be expected to negotiate a common political strategy and commit to producing a single presidential flag bearer.

“We therefore call on the leaders of the opposition to come together, to negotiate in good faith how the 2027 election shall be prosecuted as a united front.

“Let that negotiation be anchored on the principles of building a cohesive single opposition candidate and a common purpose, a common programme, a common strategy and a common resolve to save Nigeria,” the group said

The coalition cautioned that opposition leaders who continue to pursue their own presidential ambitions risk handing President Bola Tinubu a second term.

“Nigeria cannot be rescued by opposition leaders marching separately to the same defeat. Personal ambition must yield to national necessity, for a people broken at the moment of decision will continue to be ruled by those who profit from that division,” it contended.

The G-100 said the proposed national meeting would seek to extract from opposition leaders what it described as “a solemn covenant” to place national interest above personal political aspirations.

It revealed that the gathering would reaffirm the principles contained in the Ibadan Declaration of April 2026 as the basis for negotiating a consensus presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 polls.