Opposition alliance considers runoff strategy as Atiku and Obi resist single ticket
Nigeria’s G100 opposition alliance is considering cooperation around a possible second-round presidential vote if it cannot persuade Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi to back one candidate for the 2027 election. Sources say consultations continue while both politicians retain their separate ambitions.
The G100 opposition alliance is considering a strategy for a possible presidential runoff in 2027 as efforts to secure a single opposition candidate continue. Sources within the alliance told Saturday PUNCH that former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra governor Peter Obi had not accepted the proposed single-candidate arrangement. Both are maintaining separate presidential ambitions while supporting wider opposition cooperation.
One source said the discussions were intended to keep the two politicians involved before, during and after the election. Another said the alliance’s research suggested that no candidate might win easily in the first round, making cooperation in a second round important. Nigeria’s Constitution provides for another election where no presidential candidate meets the required conditions.
INEC rules also provide for a runoff if no candidate achieves the necessary vote and geographical-spread thresholds. The G100 held its first summit in Abuja on August 31, with representatives of several opposition parties attending. The Tanimu Turaki-led PDP faction and the Allied Peoples Movement confirmed continued participation, although APM said its candidate, Seyi Makinde, remained in the race.
Attempts to obtain comments from Atiku’s media aide and other party officials were unsuccessful.
This independently written report is based on information supplied by the named publisher. Vertrix News has not independently verified the source report.