Cardinal Onaiyekan urges Atiku, Obi to unite against Tinubu for 2027
Cardinal John Onaiyekan met with opposition presidential candidates including Atiku Abubakar (listed as African Democratic Congress) and Peter Obi (listed as Nigeria Democratic Congress) on Friday, urging them to unite behind a single candidate to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 election. Salihu Lukman, a chieftain of the G100 opposition coalition, revealed the Cardinal's position in a statement today.
According to Lukman, Onaiyekan expressed strong support for opposition unity efforts, calling a robust opposition "vital to the sustenance of Nigeria's democratic traditions" and emphasizing the need for "competent, honest and sympathetic leaders" to address the country's challenges. The coalition told the Cardinal they are working to field one consensus candidate.
Lukman had earlier hinted that Atiku, Obi and other opposition leaders would soon announce their position on a united candidacy. Whether major parties like PDP and Labour Party can align behind a single figure remains the critical test—past attempts at opposition coalitions have fractured over candidate selection and power-sharing.
The Cardinal's intervention adds moral authority to the unity push, but political analysts note that structural incentives often favor fragmentation. The next few weeks will show if this meeting translates into concrete coordination or remains symbolic.