Opposition parties in Nigeria have renewed talks on a possible merger, with five presidential hopefuls involved in consultations ahead of future elections, Salihu Lukman, convenor of the G100 initiative, has said.

Lukman disclosed this during an appearance on Channels Television’s Hard Copy, saying the discussions had progressed beyond the organisers’ expectations.

The parties involved are the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Social Democratic Party (SDP), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Peoples Redemption Party (PRP).

According to Lukman, the consultations have involved former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, former presidential candidate Adewole Adebayo and former governor Donald Duke.

He said public statements from the participating party leaders were expected.

Lukman, a former national vice chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said he suspended his ADC membership to address suspicions among other parties that he was advancing the interests of the ADC through the G100 initiative.

He said the decision helped him facilitate discussions among the parties without being perceived as representing one political platform.

Lukman also cited concerns about political godfatherism and the reproduction of similar practices in Kaduna State as reasons for suspending his membership.

The proposed coalition faces challenges, including disagreements over the choice of a consensus presidential candidate and arguments about regional power rotation.

An ADC faction has also rejected an alliance linked to the G100 initiative and disputed the suggestion that Atiku represents the party, according to the statement.

Lukman said the participating parties had taken ownership of the process and expressed confidence that they could reach an agreement.