The All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed the planned alliance of opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections, insisting that efforts to unite against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will not stop his bid for a second term.
The ruling party’s position came as the G-100 coalition announced the postponement of its planned Summit of Opposition Political Parties from August 18 to August 31, 2026.
The summit, being championed by former APC National Vice Chairman, North-East, Salihu Lukman, is aimed at bringing opposition parties together to explore a possible alliance and the emergence of a consensus candidate to challenge the APC in the 2027 presidential election.
Reacting to the planned opposition alliance, APC Director of Media and Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, said the ruling party was not rattled by the development, insisting that the APC was focused on retaining the confidence of Nigerians.
“We are doing everything to retain the confidence the people have in us and we are doing everything to return President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to power based on the mantra of the Renewed Hope Agenda.”
Ibrahim said the APC was neither over-prepared nor under-prepared for the 2027 elections, stressing that the party was conscious of the greater responsibility that came with being the ruling party.
“As the party in power, we know the responsibility is more on our head than it is on other parties that are jostling for positions with us. So, we are prepared, and we are going to continue with preparations as things unfold.”
The APC spokesman also said the party was not shutting its doors to alliances with other political parties, adding that some groups were already making moves to work with the ruling party.
“As a progressive party, we are not ruling any option in, but we are not ruling any option out. Our doors are open.”
According to him, any political party willing to align with the APC’s “progressive agenda” would be welcomed.
Ibrahim also disclosed that some individuals and groups had already reached out to endorse Tinubu’s candidacy for the 2027 presidential election.
He said the APC was confident that the opposition alliance would not succeed in dislodging the ruling party.
“So we are not rattled or bothered by the alliance that is planned against us. It’s actually an alliance that is not going to work in the sense that people are beginning to reap from the democratic dividends that have been given to them by the APC.”
The APC spokesman expressed confidence that Nigerians would renew Tinubu’s mandate in 2027, alongside the party’s candidates contesting other elective positions.
“We believe come 2027 that Nigerians are going to renew the mandate of President Bola Tinubu and other governors or candidates in the various positions that will be contested.”
Meanwhile, the G-100 coalition has moved its planned opposition summit from August 18 to August 31, 2026.
Lukman, who announced the adjustment on behalf of the group, said the postponement followed consultations with six participating opposition parties and members of the Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives.
He explained that the change became necessary because the National Peace Summit, scheduled for August 18, would bring together leaders and key stakeholders of political parties involved in the G-100 consultations.
“There was a broad consensus that the G100 Summit would benefit from being held after the National Peace Summit, allowing sufficient time for further internal consultations and preparation,” Lukman said.
He said the coalition had in recent days held extensive consultations with the leadership and principal stakeholders of the six participating opposition parties, as well as members of the House Minority Caucus.
According to him, the discussions had been “frank, substantive and encouraging,” with the participating parties recognising the need for greater cooperation among opposition forces ahead of the 2027 elections.
Lukman said the coalition would use the additional period to deepen consultations and develop proposals and frameworks to be presented at the August 31 summit.
“The quality of the conversations gives us confidence that the August 31 Summit can be both substantive and consequential,” he said.
The G-100 said further details on the programme and venue of the summit would be announced in due course.
