Opposition Single Candidate: Utomi-led Movement To Engage Atiku, Obi, 5 Others

The National Secretariat of the Movement for Credible Elections (MCE) has announced the commencement of the engagement process of its recently initiated political commission, set up in July to rally and coalesce opposition parties and their candidates towards the actualisation of a common political front and consensus candidacy for the Nigerian opposition in the 2027 election.

According to the National Secretariat, the MCE Political Commission is chaired by the Convener of the Big Tent Political Movement and one of the founding leaders of MCE, Prof. Patrick Utomi, who has been mandated since July to consult with presidential candidates and their various party chieftains.

MCE, in a statement by its Media Coordinator, James Ezema, said the National Secretariat had been assessing various profiles, ideologies, electoral programmes and curricula vitae, among other credentials required for the selection and endorsement of the best opposition coalition candidate and party.

It said seven political parties and their presidential candidates had been shortlisted for final engagement and endorsement after thorough and painstaking scrutiny and assessment.

The statement said the names and profiles of the shortlisted opposition political parties and their presidential candidates would be formally announced at a major press conference next week, where details about the work plan, modalities and working subcommittees of the Utomi-led Commission would be unveiled.

It added that other members of the MCE Political Commission, who are expected to hold various tactical engagements with the shortlisted presidential candidates and their parties after their special strategy session next week, include Hadjia Maryam Inna Ciroma, Mrs Modupe Adelaja and Comrade Solomon Dalung.

Others are Hon. Uche Onyeagocha, Dr Olusegun Mayegun, Dr Sam Amadi, Dr Mike Iginni, Obongawan Barbara Etim James, Veteran Olawale Okunniyi and Dr Adum Ter Alex, among others to be co-opted by the commission.

“However, a profound review of the Ibadan opposition summit held in April 2026 and its historic declaration has also made it mandatory for the MCE to adopt a more practical, tactical and inclusive implementation modality that requires concrete and deft power-sharing negotiations and an unambiguous MOU to be endorsed in November 2026 by the coalescing political parties and their presidential candidates, all things being equal.

“Again, in view of the need for inclusivity and openness in the ongoing process, the MCE shall be incorporating other concerned stakeholders, including members of the G-100 Nigerians, as partners in progress towards the actualisation of opposition political consensus, with the aim of adopting a common pro-people and pro-democracy agenda as a democratic alternative programme for the Nigerian electorate in the 2027 elections.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the objective of MCE intervention is to mobilise the Nigerian opposition into a common ideological programme and credible candidacy with the aim of saving democracy and the country from looming anarchy.

“It’s therefore by no means an attempt to impose a candidate or dictate electoral outcomes, but to encourage an electoral balance of forces and to enable opposition forces and stakeholders to explore areas of convergence in the interest of the nation and its largely impoverished population, particularly where such opposition cooperation could strengthen electoral competitiveness and democratic balance and stability in Nigeria.

“In the same vein, the Movement, as part of efforts to strengthen democracy, deepen citizen participation and increase safeguards against the erosion of democratic values and descent of democratic governance into authoritarianism or absolute rule, has concluded plans to hold a crucial leadership retreat for its members, allies and volunteers.

“The engagement will bring together MCE leaders, volunteers and associates in a formal organisational engagement aimed at ensuring that forces of the Movement are properly engaged, briefed and assigned respective roles as the organisation intensifies preparations to make the people’s votes count in the 2027 elections, as MCE believes that democracy is best protected when citizens have genuine choices, institutions are credible, political competition exists, and the electoral process is sufficiently robust to reflect the will of the people,” the statement added.

The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has said the emerging opposition coalition could make the 2027 general elections more competitive, but warned that its prospects would depend largely on its ability to overcome personal ambitions, internal divisions and political patronage.

In an exclusive interview with LEADERSHIP Friday yesterday in Abuja, the Executive Director of CISLAC, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, said the coalition could offer Nigerians a stronger political alternative amid widespread concerns over insecurity, corruption, poverty, unemployment and the rising cost of living.

Rafsanjani, however, urged opposition political actors to move beyond negotiations driven by individual interests and concentrate on building a credible alliance anchored on principles, competent leadership and a clear governance agenda.

According to him, the coalition must adopt a transparent process for selecting a common presidential candidate and develop a clear and measurable programme that would enable Nigerians to assess its policy proposals and commitments.

He also stressed the importance of internal democracy and strong grassroots structures, urging opposition actors to prioritise competence and integrity over ethnicity, religion and political patronage.

CISLAC said the credibility of the opposition coalition would ultimately depend on whether it could demonstrate that it was prepared to operate differently from the political practices it seeks to challenge.

The organisation maintained that accountability must apply equally to the ruling party and opposition forces, stressing that political actors seeking public support on the platform of good governance must be prepared to subject themselves to the same standards they demand from those in power.

It said any coalition campaigning against corruption must subject its prospective candidates to credible integrity checks, maintain transparency in political financing and reject practices capable of undermining the electoral process.

According to CISLAC, opposition parties must also make clear commitments against vote-buying, electoral manipulation and other forms of political malpractice.

The organisation argued that such measures would help build public confidence and demonstrate that the coalition’s commitment to democratic reform extends beyond campaign rhetoric.

Rafsanjani identified internal disagreements, competing political ambitions and differences over political platforms as some of the major challenges capable of undermining the emerging alliance.

He warned that a divided opposition could struggle to present a convincing alternative to voters and weaken its capacity to mount an effective challenge at the polls.

He therefore urged political leaders involved in the coalition discussions to place the national interest above individual ambitions and work towards a common political platform capable of addressing the concerns of Nigerians.

Rafsanjani said the 2027 elections should not be reduced to contests between personalities or political blocs, but should provide an opportunity for Nigerians to evaluate competing ideas, leadership qualities and governance programmes.

According to the CISLAC executive director, issues such as insecurity, job creation, poverty reduction and the fight against corruption should occupy a central position in the 2027 political discourse.

“The 2027 election Nigerians deserve is a genuine contest of ideas, integrity and programmes,” Rafsanjani said.

He added that whoever emerges victorious must do so through a credible electoral process that reflects the freely expressed will of Nigerians.

CISLAC consequently called on political parties, civil society organisations and citizens to promote peaceful political engagement and insist on transparency and accountability as preparations for the 2027 elections intensify.