ABUJA, Nigeria — Roman Catholic Cardinal John Onaiyekan endorsed efforts by opposition political parties operating under the G100 Coalition to form a unified front ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections during a meeting at his residence on Thursday, October 29, 2026.
In a statement signed on behalf of the coalition parties, Salihu Moh. Lukman detailed the briefing provided to the cleric regarding strategy and election preparations. Golden Info reports that Salihu Moh. Lukman stated that coalition leaders briefed His Eminence on “initiatives and efforts being made to present a united front of opposition political parties and ensure that Nigerians are presented with a credible alternative to rescue the country.”
The opposition delegation that visited Cardinal John Onaiyekan in Abuja included the factional national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Kabiru Tanimu Turaki SAN, and the faction’s national secretary, Honourable Daniel Woyengikuro. The Social Democratic Party (SDP) National Chairman, Professor Sadiq Umar Abubakar Gombe, and the People’s Redemption Party (PRP) National Chairman, Dr. Hakeem Baba Ahmed, attended alongside PRP National Secretary Mr. Sunny Kanu. Civil society activist and scholar Professor Jibrin Ibrahim facilitated the meeting.
Delegates informed Cardinal John Onaiyekan that work has concluded on three core working papers: The National Covenant for Democratic Renewal, outlining coalition principles; The Framework for Opposition Unity, establishing operational structures; and The National Reform Programme, detailing policy objectives. The coalition plans to formally adopt and unveil all three documents at its second summit on Monday, November 9, 2026.
Expressing support for the unity initiative, Cardinal John Onaiyekan stated that building “a robust opposition which is vital to the sustenance of Nigeria’s democratic traditions” is critical. He added that he was pleased citizens “will have real and credible choices to enable citizens to decide their future and leaders next year,” while emphasizing “the role of competent, honest and sympathetic leaders in resolving the multiple problems which combine to make the decent lives of our citizens difficult or impossible to sustain.”
The delegation reported progress in recruiting additional political parties to the G100 Coalition and establishing dispute resolution mechanisms. Coalition leaders confirmed plans to hold additional consultation meetings with prominent Nigerian figures and diplomatic missions in the coming weeks ahead of the Monday, November 9, 2026 summit.