A new political coalition, G-100, has called on opposition leaders to unite behind a single presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.

The coalition warned that a fragmented opposition would struggle to unseat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.

In an open letter titled “The Doctrine of a Necessary Democratic Opposition,” the group announced plans to convene a National Council of Opposition Leaders within the next two weeks.

The council said the presidential aspirants would be urged to prioritise Nigeria's national interest above personal ambition.

According to the coalition, every aspirant would be asked whether they seek the presidency for personal ambition or for what it described as the "salvation of Nigeria."

The letter was signed by 100 prominent Nigerians, including former APC National Vice Chairman (North-West) and founding chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Salihu Mohammed Lukman; former member of the House of Representatives, Nnenna Ukeje; former Kogi State Deputy Governor, Simon Achuba; and Dr. Akilu Indabawa.

It was addressed to key opposition figures expected to play major roles in the 2027 presidential race, including former Senate President David Mark, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Peter Obi, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, Donald Duke, Prof. Sadiq Umar Abubakar Gombe and Prince Adewole Adebayo.

The coalition argued that Nigeria's challenges are rooted in structural governance failures rather than solely economic or political problems, saying the country's political system rewards loyalty over competence, patronage over service and power over accountability.

It maintained that meaningful economic recovery would be difficult without first addressing the nation's political shortcomings.

Drawing parallels with past political interventions, G-100 cited the G34 movement that opposed military self-succession in the late 1990s and the National Assembly's invocation of the Doctrine of Necessity during the prolonged illness of late President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua as examples of patriotic action in defence of democracy.

The coalition warned that democratic systems often deteriorate gradually rather than collapse abruptly, blaming disorganised opposition politics, public apathy and personal ambition for weakening democratic institutions.

It said the proposed convention would build on the Ibadan Declaration of April 2026, with the aim of producing a consensus presidential candidate for the democratic opposition.

Details of the meeting, it added, would be announced in the coming days.

Beyond political actors, the group appealed to civil society organisations, labour unions, religious leaders and professionals to actively defend Nigeria's democracy, insisting that leadership should be earned through public confidence rather than assumed as a right.

Declaring that the stakes transcend the outcome of a single election, G-100 urged opposition leaders to place national interest above individual aspirations, arguing that "no people can hope to defeat a united failure with a divided alternative."

The open letter was endorsed by 100 signatories drawn from diverse professional, political and civic backgrounds, including academics, former public office holders, youth leaders and civil society advocates from across the country.