Opposition summit: G100 urges parties to unite, says ‘division strengthens incumbent’

Ahead of Monday’s First Summit of Nigeria’s Opposition Political Parties, the G100 has urged opposition parties and their leaders to prioritise cooperation over division in the interest of the country’s democracy.

The group made the call in a statement issued on Sunday by Salihu Moh. Lukman on behalf of the G100, one day before the opposition summit scheduled to hold at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja.

The G100 said the summit was coming at a critical moment for Nigeria’s democracy, with millions of Nigerians expecting opposition parties to go beyond criticism of the government and demonstrate the maturity and national purpose required to provide a credible alternative.

“Tomorrow’s Summit comes at an important moment for Nigeria’s democracy. Across the country, millions of Nigerians are looking to the opposition not merely to criticise the government of the day, but to demonstrate the maturity, discipline and sense of national purpose required to offer a credible alternative,” the group said.

It acknowledged that the participating political parties had different histories, identities, ambitions and interests, but argued that such differences should not prevent them from working together where their interests converge.

According to the group, cooperation does not require any political party to abandon its identity or political aspirations, but requires leaders to recognise that there are moments when common interests must take precedence over differences.

“The G100 recognises that every political party has its own history, identity, ambitions and legitimate interests. Cooperation does not require any party to surrender these. Nor does it require political leaders to abandon their aspirations.

“It simply requires the wisdom to recognise that there are moments when what unites us must become more important than what separates us,” it said.

The group further warned that divisions among opposition parties could inadvertently strengthen the incumbent by fragmenting votes, resources and political energies.

It said the experience of elections in Nigeria and other countries had shown that a fragmented opposition often struggled to defeat an incumbent, particularly where several parties competed for the same broad constituency.

“The experience of elections in Nigeria and elsewhere has repeatedly demonstrated that a divided opposition often strengthens the incumbent.

“When parties competing for the same broad constituency fragment their energies, resources and votes, they risk turning their differences into an unintended advantage for those they seek to replace,” the G100 said.

The group therefore urged opposition parties to make cooperation a deliberate political strategy ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“Division is a choice. Cooperation must now become a strategy,” it said.

The G100 said the summit provided an opportunity for opposition leaders to establish practical mechanisms for dialogue, coordination and cooperation while respecting the identities and structures of individual parties.

“Tomorrow’s Summit provides an opportunity to begin building practical mechanisms for dialogue, coordination and cooperation, while respecting the identities and structures of participating parties,” it said.

The group appealed to the participating parties and their leaders to approach the summit with an open mind and in good faith, saying the larger interests of Nigeria should remain at the centre of discussions.

It acknowledged that disagreements, competing political ambitions and difficult conversations were inevitable, but urged the parties not to allow such differences to prevent them from working towards presenting Nigerians with a credible alternative.

“There will be disagreements, competing ambitions and difficult conversations. These are natural in politics.

“But none should prevent us from recognising the greater danger of allowing our differences to deny Nigerians a credible alternative,” the group said.

The G100 stressed that the summit should not be viewed as a contest over leadership or dominance among opposition parties, but as the beginning of a process aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s democracy.

“Tomorrow is not about declaring winners or losers within the opposition. It is about beginning the work of ensuring that Nigerian democracy wins,” it said.

The group added: “Alone, each opposition party can make its case. Together, the opposition can change the course of the country.”

It also urged opposition leaders attending the summit to consider the expectations of millions of Nigerians who, it said, were looking beyond the fortunes of individual political parties and politicians.

“As we gather tomorrow at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, the G100 urges every opposition leader to remember the millions of Nigerians whose hopes extend beyond the fortunes of any single party or politician.

“History has presented the opposition with an opportunity. We must be wise enough not to waste it,” the group said.