2027: Utomi-Led Commission to Meet Opposition Presidential Candidates, Parties

By Abdulrahman Aliagan

The Political Commission initiated by the Movement for Credible Elections (MCE) and led by Professor Pat Utomi is set to commence closed-door engagements with shortlisted opposition presidential candidates and leaders of their respective political parties ahead of a tactical session scheduled to hold in Ibadan in the next fortnight.

The engagement is part of efforts to facilitate the emergence of a single presidential candidate to represent a broad opposition coalition in the 2027 presidential election.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Media Coordinator of MCE, Comrade James Ezema, the movement said the political parties shortlisted for the proposed coalition include the Social Democratic Party (SDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Allied People’s Movement (APM), National Democratic Congress (NDC), People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Accord Party, People’s Redemption Party (PRP), African Action Congress (AAC), and Young Progressive Party (YPP).

According to the statement, the closed-door meetings are intended to shield the negotiation process from political mercenaries and individuals who may seek to frustrate efforts to build a united opposition platform.

MCE said the engagements would focus on the terms and modalities for selecting an acceptable presidential candidate, stressing that the process must be transparent, credible and based on agreed rules rather than individual ambitions.

The movement maintained that the success of the proposed opposition coalition would depend not only on the popularity of individual aspirants but also on the credibility, fairness and transparency of the process through which its presidential candidate would emerge.

It said all participating parties and candidates would be required to agree to clear terms and rules of engagement before the endorsement of any candidate, adding that no individual or political party would be allowed to impose its preference on the coalition.

MCE further disclosed that members of the Political Commission expected to drive the tactical engagements include Hadjia Maryam Inna Ciroma, Mrs Modupe Adelaja, Comrade Solomon Dalung, Hon. Uche Onyeagocha, Dr Olusegun Mayegun, Dr Sam Amadi, Mr Mike Iginni, Obongawan Barbara Etim James, Veteran Olawale Okunniyi and Dr Adum Ter Alex, among others being considered for co-option.

The movement said the initiative had entered a critical phase, explaining that its objective was not merely to assemble politicians for the purpose of winning the 2027 election, but to facilitate the emergence of a credible and sustainable democratic alternative capable of earning the confidence of Nigerians.

It said the criteria for evaluating the presidential aspirants would include national acceptability, competence, integrity, leadership profile, political electability, policy orientation, commitment to democratic institutions, capacity to unite the country and ability to work with diverse social interests.

The commission is also expected to consider each aspirant’s understanding of Nigeria’s political and democratic challenges, including what the movement described as the country’s “national constitutional question.”

Beyond the selection of a consensus presidential candidate, MCE said the proposed coalition would be anchored on a common national programme that Nigerians would be able to scrutinise before being asked to support the candidate.

“The Nigerian people deserve more than a coalition of political personalities. They deserve a coalition of ideas, competence, values and a coherent ideological programme for national salvation,” the movement said.

According to MCE, the common agenda is expected to address some of Nigeria’s major challenges, including insecurity, economic hardship, unemployment, poverty, institutional decay, electoral integrity, constitutional reform, education, healthcare, energy and the high cost of governance.

The movement said political negotiations would inevitably form part of the coalition-building process, stressing that those seeking to provide a democratic alternative must be willing to make personal sacrifices, accommodate divergent interests and recognise that no individual or political party could, on its own, effectively challenge the ruling party.

MCE also clarified that its role was not to impose a presidential candidate on any political party or aspirant, but to facilitate a credible process through which the opposition could arrive at a broadly acceptable political arrangement.

It consequently urged all stakeholders to approach the engagements with open minds and a willingness to place Nigeria’s democratic future above personal political ambitions.

The movement, however, said participation in the process would require every presidential candidate and participating political party to make a prior commitment to respect the outcome of the negotiations and support the candidate ultimately adopted by the opposition coalition in the 2027 presidential election.

The tactical session in Ibadan, according to MCE, is expected to further advance discussions on the modalities and terms for the proposed opposition coalition