2027: Utomi Moves Behind Closed Doors As Atiku, Obi, Others Face Single-Candidate Talks

A major political move is quietly unfolding ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election as Professor Pat Utomi begins consultations with opposition presidential candidates and their party leaders over a possible single-candidate arrangement.

The discussions, being coordinated through the Movement for Credible Elections (MCE), are expected to bring together several opposition political forces as they explore the possibility of presenting a common presidential candidate against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Utomi, who chairs the MCE Political Commission, is expected to hold a series of closed-door meetings with selected opposition figures before the commission’s tactical session scheduled to take place in Ibadan in about two weeks.

Among those listed for the consultations are 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), Seyi Makinde of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Donald Duke of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Sandy Onor of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peter Agada of the Young Progressive Party (YPP), and Omoyele Sowore of the African Action Congress (AAC).

The development was disclosed by the MCE Media Coordinator, James Ezema.

According to the organisation, the decision to conduct the negotiations behind closed doors is aimed at allowing the politicians to discuss sensitive issues freely while shielding the process from what it described as possible interference and sabotage.

MCE said the Utomi-led commission would meet the shortlisted candidates and their respective party leaders before the planned tactical session.

The organisation stated that the initiative was designed to avoid a repeat of previous opposition arrangements where political actors agreed on the need for unity but encountered disagreements when it became necessary to determine who would lead the alliance.

How Will The Single Candidate Emerge?

The proposed arrangement, however, is not simply about persuading opposition candidates to withdraw from the presidential race.

MCE said the eventual candidate would have to emerge through rules and procedures agreed upon by the participating parties and aspirants.

The organisation listed credibility, transparency, fairness, due process and a level playing field among the principles expected to guide the process.

It also said the participating parties and candidates would have a role in determining how the eventual candidate would be selected and endorsed.

Among the factors expected to be considered are national acceptability, competence, integrity, leadership profile, political electability, policy orientation, commitment to democratic institutions, capacity to unite the country and ability to work with different social interests.

The commission also plans to examine the candidates’ understanding of Nigeria’s political and democratic challenges, including issues surrounding the country’s constitutional structure.

More Than A Political Alliance

MCE said any proposed opposition coalition should be based on more than personalities.

The organisation said Nigerians should be presented with a clear programme that they can examine before deciding whether to support the alliance.

It identified insecurity, unemployment, poverty, economic hardship, institutional decay, electoral reform, constitutional reform, education, healthcare, energy and the cost of governance among the issues that should form part of a common agenda.

According to MCE, the objective is to develop a common democratic and governance programme rather than simply merge politicians and political parties for electoral purposes.

The commission also stressed that it was not seeking to impose any particular candidate on the opposition.

Instead, it described its role as facilitating negotiations that could enable the parties and aspirants to agree on a common candidate and programme.

Opposition Unity Becomes Major 2027 Question

The question of whether opposition parties should contest the 2027 presidential election independently or unite behind one candidate has increasingly featured in political discussions surrounding the next general election.

MCE has been involved in conversations about Nigeria’s democratic process and the 2027 elections for several months.

Another initiative, G100, also began consultations with opposition parties and political leaders in August, releasing what it called the “Doctrine of a Necessary Democratic Opposition.”

The initiative similarly advocated opposition cooperation around a single presidential candidate, a common programme and a coordinated strategy.

G100 subsequently engaged several opposition parties, including the ADC, APM, NDC, PDP, PRP and SDP.

The consultations are aimed at identifying areas of agreement while allowing the individual parties to retain their separate identities.

With Utomi now beginning another round of consultations, attention is turning to whether the various opposition interests can reach agreement on the difficult question of a common presidential candidate ahead of 2027.

The MCE commission is expected to work with a team that includes Maryam Ciroma, Modupe Adelaja, former Minister of Youth and Sports Development Solomon Dalung, Uche Onyeagocha, Olusegun Mayegun, Sam Amadi, Mike Iginni, Obongawan Barbara Etim James, Olawale Okunniyi and Dr Adum Ter Alex, among others.