TMG Appeals To Atiku For Talks On Unified Opposition Ahead Of 2027
By y Sabiu Abdullahi
The Tinubu Must Go (TMG) movement has appealed to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), to enter discussions with other opposition figures on the possibility of forming a united platform ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The appeal was contained in a letter dated September 22, 2026, with the reference number TMG/NAT/2026/001 and addressed to Atiku through the National Chairman of the ADC.
The letter, titled “REQUEST FOR DIALOGUE TOWARDS A UNITED OPPOSITION FRONT FOR THE 2027 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION,” said the group seeks discussions among major opposition figures on a possible consensus presidential candidate.
TMG described itself as a citizen-led movement whose members have put aside individual and partisan preferences in pursuit of what it described as a united opposition capable of presenting an alternative to the current administration.
The movement cited insecurity, economic pressures, inflation, poverty and unemployment among the issues it said have strengthened the case for opposition cooperation.
On insecurity, the group referred to figures from SBM Intelligence’s report, “The Capture of the Kidnap Economy”, which covers the period from July 2025 to June 2026. According to the letter, the report recorded 7,825 abducted persons and 1,142 deaths across 1,411 recorded kidnapping incidents out of 1,713 total kidnapping-related events.
The letter also stated that Northern Nigeria accounted for 93.7 per cent of reported abductions and 96 per cent of civilian fatalities in the period covered by the report, while Southern Nigeria accounted for 6.3 per cent of abducted victims.
On the economy, TMG said high inflation and food prices had reduced household purchasing power and placed essential commodities beyond the reach of many families.
The movement also cited rising energy costs, electricity and fuel tariffs, grid failures, poverty and youth unemployment as issues it said required urgent attention.
TMG said its immediate request was for opposition leaders to meet, engage in good faith and consider possible compromises that could produce a single consensus presidential candidate.
“We do not presume to dictate who should lead, who should concede, or what specific power-sharing arrangement should emerge,” the letter stated.
It added that such matters should be resolved through direct discussions among the opposition leaders.
“Our guiding principle is clear: the broader national interest must be given room to prevail before individual political ambitions become irreconcilable.”
The movement said it plans to hold an internal consultation among its supporters on Thursday, September 24, 2026, to assess their current preferences in the event that the organisation eventually decides to consolidate its grassroots structure behind a single platform.
However, TMG stressed that any internal consultation would remain secondary to whatever voluntary consensus the opposition candidates themselves might reach.
“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,” the letter said.
“Our mission is coalition-building, not exclusion.”
The group further told Atiku that it recognised his presidential ambition as part of a broader desire to serve Nigerians and change the country’s direction.
It argued that opposition cooperation could provide a means for the various political figures to work together, while also allowing their respective political structures and supporters to retain a role in the wider political process.
TMG urged whoever eventually emerges as the consensus candidate to maintain cooperation with other opposition leaders and their supporters.
It also called for an administration that would draw on the capabilities of the various partners if the coalition receives the mandate of Nigerian voters.
The movement specifically asked Atiku to open high-level discussions with other leading opposition candidates in order to identify areas of common ground.
“Political dynamics evolve rapidly as elections approach; consequently, the door to dialogue, compromise, and strategic alliance must remain open to the very end.”
TMG also requested an opportunity for a delegation from the movement to meet Atiku in person to formally present its appeal and discuss practical steps towards further dialogue.
The letter was signed by Abba Hikima, Esq., for Tinubu Must Go (TMG).
In a separate statement contained at the end of the letter, TMG said any formal response from Atiku or his political party could be communicated through verified social media accounts.
The statement reads:
“In the interest of complete transparency and to engage the millions of young, digital-first Nigerians following this initiative, any formal reply or statement regarding this appeal may simply be posted directly on the verified social medial handle (X, Facebook, Instagram) of Your Excellency or your political party under the hashtag #TMG. Any such post shall be deemed as having officially reached us and served upon the TMG leadership and nationwide community”.