By Omeiza Ajayi
ABUJA: The G100 has called on opposition political parties, their leaders, candidates and members to embrace cooperation rather than division as they prepare for the First Summit of Nigeria’s opposition political parties holding Monday in Abuja.
In a statement on Sunday in Abuja and signed by Salihu Moh. Lukman on behalf of the group, the G100 said the gathering comes at a defining moment for the country’s democracy, noting that “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 acknowledged that every political party retains its own history, identity and ambitions, but insisted that working together does not require any party to abandon these.
“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,” the statement read.
Te G100 warned that a fragmented opposition serves only the interests of the ruling party.
“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. Division is a choice. Cooperation must now become a strategy”, it stated.
The group described the summit as a platform for opposition leaders to lay the groundwork for structured collaboration without eroding the individual character of participating parties. It appealed to “every participating party and leader to come to the table in good faith, with an open mind and with the larger interests of Nigeria at heart.”
While conceding that disagreements and competing ambitions are inevitable, the group maintained that such frictions must not overshadow the bigger picture. “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,” it said, stressing that the summit “is not about declaring winners or losers within the opposition. It is about beginning the work of ensuring that Nigerian democracy wins.”
The G100 further stated that unity, not isolated party efforts, holds the greater promise for altering the nation’s political trajectory. “Alone, each opposition party can make its case. Together, the opposition can change the course of the country,” the statement said, urging opposition leaders to bear in mind the expectations of ordinary Nigerians as they converge for the summit.
“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.
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