APC says opposition efforts to unite against Tinubu will fail, as G100 moves its planned summit to August 31.
Ahead of the 2037 general election, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that the proposed ‘Unity Summit’ championed by the G-100 coalition against the re-election of President Bola Tinubu would fail.
This was as the G100 on Friday said that it is rescheduling its proposed Summit of Opposition Political Parties to Monday, August 31, 2026.
It would be recalled that Nigerian opposition parties had scheduled to convene a major unity summit in Abuja on August 18, 2026, organised by the G-100 Coalition led by a former National Vice Chairman, North-east of the APC, Salihu Lukman.
The alliance aimed at reconciling fractured groups to pick a single consensus candidate to challenge the APC in the 2027 general election.
However, responding to the proposed summit, APC Director of media and publicity, Bala Ibrahim, noted that the ruling party was doing everything possible to retain the confidence of the people and to ensure the Renewed Hope mandate of President Tinubu is renewed.
He stated, “Why no party is over prepared, but our party is not under prepared. 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 doing everything to retain the confidence the people have on us, on us, and we are doing everything to return President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to power based on the mantra of Renewed Hope Agenda. So we are prepared, and we are going to continue with preparations as things unfold.”
On formation of alliances with other parties, Ibrahim revealed that the party is not ruling out any option, adding that other parties are already making moves to form alliances with the APC.
His words, “Well, as a progressive party, we are not ruling any option in, but we are not ruling any option out. Our doors are open. In fact, they are on automation.
“Any party that wants to align with the progressive agenda of the APC, the APC is ready to welcome it into its fold. There are moves made by other parties to come into alliance with us.
“Already, some people have reached out to endorse the candidature of President Bola Ahmed Chinu, and it’s work in progress.
“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.
“So, as long as everything will be done democratically, we don’t have any cause for fear. 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 shift in the G100 planned summit was contained in a statement by Salihu Lukman on behalf of the group.
According to Lukman, this is following consultations with the six participating political parties and members of the Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives.
He said that, ”The adjustment became necessary in view of the National Peace Summit scheduled for August 18, which is expected to bring together the leadership and key stakeholders of the political parties participating in the G100 consultations.
”Following discussions with the parties and the Minority Caucus, 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.
”Over the past several days, the G100 has held extensive engagements with the leadership and principal stakeholders of the six participating opposition parties, as well as members of the Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives. These consultations have been frank, substantive and encouraging.
“We have been particularly encouraged by the seriousness with which the parties have approached these conversations and by the energy behind the deliberations. There is a clear recognition across the different parties that this is an important moment for Nigeria’s democracy and that the opposition must begin to engage one another with greater purpose and structure.”
“What we have enjoyed most about these consultations is their candour. There are differences, as there should be, but there is also a genuine willingness to listen, to interrogate the available options and to explore practical areas of cooperation. The quality of the conversations gives us confidence that the August 31 Summit can be both substantive and consequential,” the statement stated.
“The G100 will therefore use the intervening period to continue consultations with the participating parties and other relevant stakeholders, and to further develop the proposals and frameworks that will be presented for consideration at the Summit.
“Further details regarding the programme and venue of the August 31 Summit will be communicated in due course,” the statement added.