Several opposition political leaders and prominent figures have converged on Abuja for a summit aimed at forging a united front ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The meeting, being held at the Shehu Yar’Adua Centre, attracted notable opposition figures including the Peoples Redemption Party presidential candidate, Donald Duke; Social Democratic Party presidential candidate, Adewale Adebayo; and former Niger State Governor, Babangida Aliyu.

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The summit was convened by political pressure group G-100 as part of efforts to bring opposition parties together to mount a stronger challenge against President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress in 2027.

Also attending the gathering are the Allied Peoples Movement vice-presidential candidate, Lawal Daura; PRP National Chairman, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed; SDP vice-presidential candidate, Usman Bugaje; and Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Fred Agbedi.

The National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress, Bolaji Abdullahi, and G-100 Convener, Salihu Lukman, are also among those participating in the summit.

Welcoming the dignitaries, Lukman urged opposition parties to put aside their differences and work towards a common objective of advancing the interests of Nigerians.

He stressed that the proposed cooperation was not about forcing political parties to dissolve or abandon their identities, but about creating a platform where they could work together towards a shared goal.

“We are not asking any political party to dissolve. Let us agree that we must build the table before negotiating the seats,” Lukman said.

The summit comes amid increasing political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, with opposition parties and political actors exploring possible alliances and coalition arrangements.

Former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and ex-Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva, has resigned from the All Progressives Congress, APC, describing the ruling party as “irredeemable” and accusing the President Bola Tinubu-led administration of disappointing Nigerians.

Sylva announced his resignation in a letter dated August 31, 2026, addressed to the APC Chairman of Ward 4 in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

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Copies of the letter were sent to the APC National Chairman, the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and the chairman of the APC in Bayelsa State.

The former minister, who described himself as a founding member of the APC, said he took the decision after consulting his family, associates, colleagues and sympathisers.

Sylva said he could no longer remain in a party whose leaders, according to him, had embraced the belief that “all is fair in politics.”

He said, “Having consulted widely with my family, associates, colleagues and sympathisers, I wish to formally tender my resignation from the All Progressives Congress (APC), with immediate effect.

“As a founding member of the APC, and one who joined other well-meaning Nigerians in building the party with sweat and money, it is deeply saddening to witness how the ideals we espoused have been so thoroughly and unrecognisably thwarted.”

He added, “Moreover, I cannot, in all good conscience, continue to belong to a party whose leaders believe that ‘all is fair in politics;’ and have consistently demonstrated that belief in practice.”

Sylva attacks Tinubu administration
Sylva also criticised the APC-led Federal Government, saying it had disappointed the majority of Nigerians.

“The present Government, formed under the banner of the APC we once loved, has disappointed the vast majority of Nigerians. And I can see neither a credible attempt nor any possibility of a revamp,” he stated.

Describing the APC as a “floundering ship,” Sylva said he had no choice but to leave the party.

“I am therefore left with no other choice than to jettison a floundering ship whose fate appears to have been sealed by its irredeemable load of iniquities,” he said.

The former governor also expressed confidence that Nigerians would vote for change in the 2027 general elections.

“I have no doubt that, in the coming election, Nigerians will vote for Nigeria and free the Country from this stranglehold on our beautiful country,” Sylva stated.

Why Sylva copied EFCC

The former minister also explained his decision to copy the EFCC in his resignation letter.

Sylva acknowledged that the move could lead to increased scrutiny of him and his associates by the anti-graft agency, but said he was prepared to face whatever consequences might arise.

“I am fully aware that this action of mine may invite a redoubled witch-hunt against me and my associates, but that is a risk I am willing to take,” he said.

Resignation amid alleged coup plot investigation

Sylva’s resignation comes amid allegations linking him to an alleged plot to overthrow the Tinubu administration.

The Federal Government previously named him as a suspect in a wider investigation into an alleged coup plot uncovered in 2025. Sylva has repeatedly denied involvement in the alleged plot.

The development had led to the arrest and prosecution of several military and civilian suspects.

In April 2026, six defendants were arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja on charges including treason, terrorism and money laundering.

Reports published in August also alleged that Sylva was linked to the financing of the purported coup plot. However, the former governor has denied the allegations.

The controversy had earlier intensified in October 2025 following a military operation at Sylva’s Abuja residence.

Sylva confirmed that soldiers from Defence Headquarters raided the property but rejected any suggestion that he was involved in a plan to overthrow the government, describing the operation as unjustified.

His resignation comes as political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the ruling APC and opposition forces positioning themselves for what is expected to be a keenly contested election.

Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has dismissed concerns about his age ahead of the 2027 presidential election, challenging critics to judge him beyond his age.

Atiku made the remark in an interview with BBC Hausa published on Friday while responding to concerns that his age could affect his ability to provide effective and healthy leadership for four years if elected.

The interviewer noted that Atiku would be “almost or nearly 80 years old” by the time Nigerians vote in 2027 and asked what he would say to those who consider his age too advanced for the presidency.

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Responding, Atiku referenced President Bola Tinubu before challenging the premise of the question.

“You went and voted for someone who is 80, I mean 90 years old. How old is President Bola, 90?” he asked.

When the interviewer corrected him, saying Tinubu was not yet 80, Atiku replied, “Do I look to you like someone who has reached 80 years of age?”

The former vice president is currently intensifying his preparations for the 2027 presidential election and seeking to rally opposition politicians behind a coalition aimed at challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress.

Atiku also rejected claims that he had become an obstacle to the opposition coalition, insisting that he was instrumental in bringing the group together.

“That is a baseless accusation levelled against me. I was actually the one who initiated the coalition. Nobody else…I, Atiku Abubakar, started it,” he said.

According to Atiku, most of the politicians who started the coalition remain together despite disagreements among some major opposition figures.

He identified Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso as the two major opposition figures who had left the group.

“It was just Kwankwaso… he was with us at first, then he left,” Atiku said.
Asked about Obi, he added, “Yes, and also Peter Obi. It’s just them, but the rest of us are still here continuing our work.”

However, Atiku said there was still a possibility that the opposition politicians could work together before the 2027 election.
“Nothing is impossible, by God’s grace.

“One day you’ll see… we have agreed to work together to save this country and its poor citizens, Insha Allah,” he said.

On the removal of the petrol subsidy, Atiku criticised the Federal Government, questioning how the savings from the policy had been used.

“I did not oppose the removal of the oil subsidy, but where is the money? Where did it go?” Atiku asked.

He said the funds were expected to help reduce poverty, improve education, tackle insecurity and create opportunities for young Nigerians.

“Where is the money now? It seems they are just stealing it,” he said.

Atiku also promised to restore the petrol subsidy if elected president and demanded that anyone who had stolen the money should refund it.

“If elected, I will bring back the oil subsidy, and whoever stole the money must refund it,” he said.

He argued that the subsidy could have been removed without causing the level of hardship Nigerians are experiencing if the savings had been properly utilised.

“The government successfully removed the subsidy, but we do not know where the money went.

“If they had used the money for development, to solve security problems, for education, and to create opportunities for the youth, it would be different,” Atiku said.

The ADC presidential candidate also defended his decision not to sign a peace accord involving opposition politicians, questioning why the incumbent government was not included.

“Why is it always only us in the opposition that you bring to sign, but you never bring the incumbent government to sign as well?” he asked.

Atiku added that he saw little value in signing the agreement if the ruling party was excluded.

“So, if you don’t bring the incumbent government to come and sign, I see no point in going to sign it,” he said.