Professor Pat Utomi is set to head a commission established by the Movement for Credible Elections (MCE) to hold private discussions with eight opposition presidential candidates ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
The initiative is aimed at exploring the possibility of producing a single opposition presidential candidate to challenge President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to a report by The Punch on Thursday, September 17, MCE Media Coordinator James Ezema disclosed the development in a statement.
Ezema said the Utomi-led Political Commission is expected to complete its engagements with the presidential candidates and their respective party leaders within two weeks.
Eight candidates shortlisted for talks
The candidates selected for the consultations include former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Adewole Adebayo of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Seyi Makinde of the Allied People’s Movement (APM).
Others are Donald Duke of the People’s Redemption Party (PRP), Sandy Onor of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peter Agada of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), and Omoyele Sowore of the African Action Congress (AAC).
MCE explains criteria for selecting candidate
The MCE said the discussions would be conducted privately to protect the negotiations from individuals it described as “political mercenaries and jobbers” who could interfere with the process.
The organisation said previous attempts by opposition groups to form a united front had often encountered difficulties when it became necessary to agree on the individual who would lead the proposed alliance.
The MCE stated:
“Nigeria cannot afford another opposition arrangement in which political actors agree on the need for a united front but disagree when it becomes necessary to determine the arrowhead and rallying point of that electoral alliance,”
According to the group, the candidates will be considered based on several factors, including national acceptability, competence, integrity, leadership profile, political electability, policy orientation and commitment to democratic institutions.
Their understanding of Nigeria’s political and constitutional issues will also form part of the assessment.
Opposition coalition to focus on governance agenda
The MCE said its objective extends beyond identifying a consensus presidential candidate.
The organisation also intends to develop a common governance programme addressing major national issues, including insecurity, economic hardship, unemployment, poverty, institutional weaknesses, electoral reforms, constitutional reform, education, healthcare, energy and the cost of governance.
The group said:
“The Nigerian people deserve more than a coalition of political personalities. They deserve a coalition of ideas, competence, values and a coherent ideological programme for national salvation,”
The MCE further said each candidate participating in the process would be expected to provide a written commitment to accept the eventual outcome and support whoever emerges as the coalition’s presidential candidate.
Utomi-led commission members
Utomi will work alongside several other members of the Political Commission, including Maryam Ciroma, Modupe Adelaja, Solomon Dalung, Uche Onyeagocha, Olusegun Mayegun, Sam Amadi, Mike Iginni, Obongawan Barbara Etim James, Olawale Okunniyi and Adum Ter Alex, among others.
A tactical meeting where the commission’s findings will be presented is expected to take place in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
MCE initiative follows G100 consultations
The latest effort comes after another opposition-unity initiative by the G100, a group comprising 100 Nigerians.
In August, the group called on opposition politicians to put aside individual ambitions and explore a united arrangement ahead of the 2027 elections.
The G100 has subsequently held consultations with several political parties, including the ADC, APM, NDC, PDP, PRP and SDP.
