Cardinal Onaiyekan backs G100 opposition unity push ahead of 2027

Cardinal John Onaiyekan has thrown his support behind efforts by opposition parties to unite ahead of the 2027 general elections, saying a strong opposition is vital to Nigeria's democracy.

The leaders of the G100 Coalition, made up of national chairmen and secretaries of some political parties, met the Catholic cardinal at his residence in Abuja on Thursday, according to a statement signed by Salihu Moh. Lukman on behalf of the coalition.

They told him about their push to present a united front and give Nigerians what they called a credible alternative to rescue the country.

Those at the meeting included Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, who is national chairman of a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the faction's national secretary, Daniel Woyengikuro. The Social Democratic Party (SDP) chairman, Sadiq Umar Abubakar Gombe, and the People's Redemption Party (PRP) chairman, Hakeem Baba Ahmed, were also there, alongside PRP national secretary Sunny Kanu. Scholar and civil society activist Jibrin Ibrahim facilitated the meeting.

Three papers near completion

The coalition said work is almost done on three documents: the National Covenant for Democratic Renewal, which sets out its principles; the Framework for Opposition Unity, which explains how member parties will work together; and the National Reform Programme, which outlines what a coalition government would do for Nigerians.

All member parties are expected to endorse and unveil the papers at a second summit on Monday, November 9, 2026.

According to the statement, Onaiyekan said he was glad Nigerians "will have real and credible choices to enable citizens to decide their future and leaders next year." He stressed that the country's many problems, which make decent living hard for ordinary citizens, need leaders who are competent, honest and sympathetic.

The coalition also said it has drawn more parties in and designed ways to settle disagreements among members. It asked the cardinal to keep praying for the effort and said it will visit other prominent Nigerians and diplomatic missions in the coming weeks.

What happens next

The November 9 summit will show how many parties are ready to stand behind the coalition and its documents. Daily Post reported that Lukman has said opposition leaders, including Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, would soon make their position on a single candidacy public. The coalition has not named a joint candidate.