Opposition Parties Set August 31 Summit to Unite Against Tinubu’s 2027 Re-Election Bid

Opposition parties in Nigeria have agreed to meet on August 31, 2026, as part of efforts to strengthen collaboration and build a united political force ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The date was disclosed on Thursday by a prominent opposition figure, Salihu Lukman, who spoke on behalf of the opposition group, G100.

According to Lukman, the proposed gathering will provide an opportunity for the participating parties to begin structured negotiations on the terms, institutions and principles that could guide their cooperation ahead of the 2027 elections.

He explained that the planned summit followed several weeks of consultations with the leadership of six opposition political parties: the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), National Democratic Congress (NDC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), and Social Democratic Party (SDP).

Lukman said the consultations resulted in a joint document titled “A Framework for Opposition Cooperation and Coordination,” which outlines areas of agreement among the parties while recognising their different political histories, identities and interests.

He stressed that the proposed cooperation would not necessarily require any of the parties to dissolve or merge into another.

“Cooperation does not require any party to disappear into another. The first question before party leaders is not who leads the ticket. It is what we are, together, prepared to do for this country,” he stated.

The development comes amid growing efforts by opposition parties and political groups to explore possible alliances ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu expected to seek re-election.

The August 31 meeting is therefore expected to be an important step in determining whether the various opposition parties can overcome their individual interests and establish a coordinated platform capable of challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.

The outcome of the proposed summit could also provide further clarity on the structure, leadership arrangement and electoral strategy of any possible opposition alliance.