Atiku, Obi Camps Reject G-100 Push For Single Opposition Candidate Against Tinubu In 2027

The camps of *former Vice President Atiku Abubakar* and *ex-Anambra Governor Peter Obi* have rejected calls by a political pressure group, *G-100*, for opposition parties to field a single presidential candidate against *President Bola Tinubu* in 2027.

While both camps acknowledge the need for greater opposition cooperation, neither is ready to drop its presidential ambition as coalition talks gather momentum.

The development could complicate efforts by G-100 — convened by *former DG of the Progressive Governors Forum, Salihu Lukman* — which argues that a united opposition front is the most realistic way to defeat the ruling *All Progressives Congress (APC)*.

However, positions emerging from the Atiku and Obi camps suggest agreeing on one candidate may be harder than building a common opposition agenda.

Speaking to _Sunday PUNCH_ on Saturday, Atiku’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, *Phrank Shaibu*, said the former VP had moved beyond talk of an opposition summit.

_“We have moved beyond this conversation. Atiku has brought to the table policy alternatives, including what he would do with petroleum subsidy if elected. His policies are about the people and they are not hidden. Come January 2027, Nigerians will make their choice,”_ he said.

Shaibu urged Nigerians to assess candidates based on policy proposals, insisting Atiku remains the most prepared opposition politician to lead the country.

Obi’s camp also maintains the former Anambra governor has the credentials and support to challenge Tinubu.

Obi, who ran in 2023 on the *Labour Party* platform, has since joined the *National Democratic Coalition (NDC)* amid the ongoing opposition realignment.

While the NDC welcomed the G-100 initiative, it rejected the idea that opposition parties must present a single candidate to defeat the APC.

NDC National Publicity Secretary, *Osa Director*, said Nigeria’s electoral history proves an incumbent can be beaten without total merger.

_“Under a multi-party democracy, it is possible for one party to defeat a sitting president. It happened in 2015 when fragments of APGA and PDP teamed up with the APC to defeat President Goodluck Jonathan. So, the NDC is not going into 2027 with that self-defeatist approach,”_ he said.

Director added that if the opposition eventually agrees to a coalition ticket, the NDC believes *Peter Obi is the best candidate* to lead it.

The disagreement highlights a key challenge for the opposition ahead of 2027: agreeing not just to cooperate, but on who should lead the alliance.

Both Atiku and Obi have strong followings, but any consensus arrangement would require tough negotiations over the ticket, party structure, and sharing of political interests.

G-100 insists its goal is to prevent vote fragmentation and provide Nigerians a credible alternative to the APC.

The group’s proposed *August 31 summit* is expected to test whether opposition groups can move from broad cooperation to concrete decisions on structure, platform and leadership.

Efforts to get an update from Lukman on summit preparations were unsuccessful as of press time.