Cardinal John Onaiyekan has urged Nigerian opposition parties to put aside their differences and work together to provide voters with a credible alternative ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The former Catholic Archbishop of Abuja made the call after leaders of political parties under the G100 Coalition visited him at his residence in Abuja on Thursday, October 29, 2026, to brief him on their efforts to build a united opposition front.
The coalition is seeking to bring opposition parties together to strengthen democratic competition and present Nigerians with an alternative to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to a statement issued by Salihu Moh. Lukman on behalf of the coalition, the delegation informed Onaiyekan that it had concluded work on three key documents intended to guide the proposed alliance.
The documents include the National Covenant for Democratic Renewal, which outlines the coalition’s guiding principles; the Framework for Opposition Unity, which explains how participating parties intend to cooperate; and the National Reform Programme, which sets out the policy priorities of a government that could emerge from the alliance.
Onaiyekan welcomed the initiative, expressing hope that Nigerians would have genuine and credible choices when they go to the polls next year.
He emphasised the importance of competent, honest and compassionate leadership in addressing the country’s economic, security and social challenges, stressing that a strong opposition remains important to sustaining Nigeria’s democratic system.
The coalition also briefed the cleric on efforts to attract more political parties and develop mechanisms to manage disagreements among members, which could otherwise undermine the alliance.
The group said it was working towards rebuilding public confidence in governance, with renewed attention to citizens’ welfare, national security and trust in leadership.
The G100 Coalition plans to hold its second summit on November 9, 2026, where participating parties are expected to endorse and unveil the three documents. Its leaders also intend to engage other prominent Nigerians and diplomatic missions as consultations continue.
The latest development comes as opposition figures face the challenge of reconciling competing political ambitions and agreeing on a common strategy ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Whether the coalition can translate its calls for unity into a workable political arrangement remains a key question as preparations for the election gather momentum.
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