Nigerian Opposition Summit Kicks Off: Key Figures Convene, Absences Spark Controversy

A significant gathering of opposition political parties and dignitaries convened at the Shehu Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja for a Summit aimed at forging a united opposition front ahead of the 2027 presidential election. Convened by the political pressure group G-100, the summit’s primary objective is to mount a formidable challenge against President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Among the notable attendees were the presidential candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Donald Duke; his Social Democratic Party (SDP) counterpart, Adewale Adebayo; and former Niger State Governor, Babangida Aliyu. Other key figures included the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) vice-presidential candidate, Lawal Daura; PRP National Chairman, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed; and SDP vice-presidential candidate, Usman Bugaje. The event also saw the presence of the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Fred Agbedi; G-100 Convener, Salihu Lukman; and National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Bolaji Abdullahi.

In his welcoming address, G-100 Convener Salihu Lukman urged the opposition parties to transcend their individual differences and coalesce around a common objective: advancing the greater good of Nigeria, rather than prioritizing personal political ambitions. He emphasized the importance of collective action, stating, “We are not asking any political party to dissolve. Let us agree that we must build the table before negotiating the seats.”

During the summit, the National Chairman of the People’s Redemption Party (PRP), Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, raised a critical concern regarding the simultaneous absence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima from Nigeria. Baba-Ahmed questioned who was currently in charge of the country, highlighting that it marked the first instance in the nation’s history where both the sitting president and his vice president were out of the country concurrently. He directly asked, “Who is in charge now?”

The context for these absences was detailed: President Tinubu had departed Abuja for Europe to commence a three-week annual leave, with his first stop slated for London, United Kingdom. According to a statement from his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President is expected to return to Nigeria after his working vacation to participate in campaigns leading up to the January 2027 election. Simultaneously, Vice President Shettima had traveled to Luanda, Angola, to represent the President at the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU). This AU summit is focused on conflict resolution and strategizing for lasting peace and stability across the African continent. Shettima, accompanied by senior defence and security officials, is tasked with delivering President Tinubu’s address and presenting Nigeria’s stance on the issues under discussion, reaffirming the country's commitment to continental peace.

Reacting further to the President’s absence, Dr. Baba-Ahmed made an allegation, claiming that President Tinubu had embarked on an emergency overseas trip to preempt the potential release of documents concerning him by the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). However, the PRP chairman did not provide any evidence to substantiate this serious claim.