The Convener of the G100 group, Mallam Salihu Lukman, has said opposition parties may present a single presidential candidate a few days, weeks or months before the 2027 general election.
Lukman stated this during an interview on Channels Television programme ‘Hard Core’.
He said the objective of the G100 was to engage political parties and their candidates on the need for unity, adding that progress has been made and leadership of the parties will soon make public statements on the direction.
On his suspension from membership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Lukman said the decision was due to internal issues, particularly in his Kaduna constituency, where he felt the party was drifting towards reproducing the practices of parties they left.
He said the suspension helped to address suspicion from other parties that he was pushing an ADC agenda, while also allowing for corrections within the ADC.
“I deliberately took that decision in order to allow me to negotiate and ensure that we correct whatever problem. And I can tell you we have made some progress,” he said.
He said the focus is not on individuals but on the country, noting that he has no ambition to contest an election or hold appointed office.
On how to arrive at a single consensus candidate, Lukman said the G100 summit of August 31 agreed on five working groups, with one mandated to work on the consensus candidate.
He said the parties have taken over the process and are driving consultations, nominating members into the working group with terms of reference to come up with recommendations and options.
He said the process goes beyond the presidential candidate to include candidates for Senate, House of Representatives, governorship and House of Assembly, to ensure agreement on a new direction for the country.
Lukman acknowledged a trust deficit among parties and candidates but said leaders are committed to building confidence.
He referenced recent comments by Cardinal John Onaiyekan that splitting opposition votes among five candidates would hand victory to the ruling party, saying candidates are rational and will work together.
On concerns from supporters, including Obidients and Kwankwasiyya, Lukman said rigid positions amount to working for the All Progressives Congress (APC), stressing that the country is superior to any individual.
He said many signatories to the initial G100 open letter are supporters of Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar but agreed that national interest should come first.
When asked about harmonising different manifestos, Lukman said another working group will develop a minimum programme of action that all candidates will subscribe to, rather than harmonising manifestos.
He said the programme will prioritise actions for a post-2027 government and will draw from existing proposals, including Atiku’s production subsidy model and other candidates’ plans.
He expressed optimism that what will emerge will be bigger than ADC and could be an alliance producing a new party for 2027 and beyond.
“I can tell you categorically, and my confidence about that comes from what I see in the leadership of the parties. They are committed and they are working, taking all the steps necessary,” he said.
“Beyond the six parties, they are also working to expand. They are reaching out to other parties. So it could be two months, some weeks to the election or a few days to the election. They’ll come out and tell Nigerians this is the direction and everybody will queue,” Lukman added.
