The Tinubu Must Go (TMG) movement has urged former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore to set aside their individual ambitions and negotiate a single opposition candidate for the 2027 presidential election.
The movement made the appeal in a letter addressed to the four opposition figures, calling for what it described as “high-level dialogue” aimed at building a united opposition platform to challenge President Bola Tinubu.
TMG said the proposal was driven by the need to provide Nigerians with what it described as a viable alternative to the present administration.
“We write on behalf of the Tinubu Must Go nationwide community—a citizen-led movement bringing together Nigerians across diverse political persuasions who have chosen to set aside partisan and individual preferences to advance a single, imperative objective: encouraging a united opposition front to offer Nigerians a viable, credible alternative to the current administration,” the letter, signed by Abba Hikima, said.
The group cited insecurity and socio-economic pressures as some of the reasons for its call for opposition cooperation.
It referenced a recent report by SBM Intelligence, titled The Capture of Nigeria’s Kidnap Economy, which reported 1,713 kidnapping and related incidents between July 2025 and June 2026, involving 7,825 abducted persons and at least 1,142 deaths. The report also estimated that victims and their families paid N7.78 billion in ransom during the period.
TMG also raised concerns over inflation, food and energy costs, electricity and fuel tariffs, unemployment and declining household purchasing power.
Against this backdrop, the movement urged the opposition leaders to explore a common political arrangement ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
“Our primary appeal is simple: that the leading opposition candidates meet, engage in good faith, and explore every reasonable compromise capable of producing a single, consensus presidential candidate,” it said.
The group, however, said it would not determine who should emerge as the consensus candidate or which of the four politicians should withdraw from the race.
“We do not presume to dictate who should lead, who should concede, or what specific power-sharing arrangement should emerge,” TMG said, stressing that such issues should be resolved through direct negotiations among the opposition leaders.
It said the overriding consideration should be the national interest rather than individual political ambitions.
The appeal comes amid continuing discussions among opposition parties and political groups over possible cooperation ahead of the 2027 elections. Recent reports indicate that talks over opposition collaboration remain ongoing, although major presidential contenders have retained separate political platforms.
TMG said it would conduct an internal consultation among its supporters on September 24 to gauge their preferences should the movement eventually have to consolidate its grassroots structure behind a single political platform.
It nevertheless clarified that the proposed consultation would remain secondary to any consensus voluntarily reached by the opposition leaders.
The movement also cautioned that any preference expressed by its supporters should not be interpreted as a rejection of any of the opposition figures.
“Every major opposition figure, along with their respective political structures and supporters, remains indispensable to this national rescue project before, during, and after the election,” it said.
TMG further called for an inclusive arrangement if the opposition leaders eventually agree on a consensus candidate, saying the other political blocs and their supporters should have a role in governance beyond the election.
“Meaningful public service is not defined solely by the office of the President. Every leader has a critical role to play in the broader national project,” the group said.
It also urged the opposition leaders to keep negotiations open until the election, arguing that political circumstances could change as the 2027 poll approaches.
“Political dynamics evolve rapidly as elections approach; consequently, the door to dialogue, compromise, and strategic alliance must remain open to the very end,” it said.
TMG requested an opportunity for its delegation to meet with Atiku, Obi, Makinde and Sowore to formally present its proposal and discuss practical steps towards achieving a unified opposition arrangement.
The call comes as Nigeria’s opposition figures continue to debate the possibility of a broader coalition ahead of the 2027 presidential election. Earlier opposition discussions have similarly centred on whether major contenders can negotiate their differences and arrive at a common political arrangement.
