The Movement for Credible Elections has shortlisted seven opposition political parties and presidential candidates for a coalition and consensus candidate to unseat President Bola Tinubu in the January 2027 poll.

James Ezema disclosed the move in a statement on Thursday, stating that their names and profiles will be unveiled at a press briefing next week.

“Consequently, seven political parties and their presidential candidates have been shortlisted for final engagement and endorsement after thorough and painstaking scrutiny and assessment,” the statement said.

Pat Utomi, the chair of the MCE commission and convener of Big Tent Political Movement, has been engaging the candidates and parties’ chieftains since the commission was established in July, according to the statement.

The movement clarified that it was not self-seeking and would not impose any candidate on the coalition.

“It’s therefore by no means an attempt to impose a candidate or dictate electoral outcomes, but to encourage an electoral balance of forces and to enable opposition forces and stakeholders to explore areas of convergence in the interest of the nation,” the statement explained.

Mr Ezema reiterated the movement’s objective to “mobilise the Nigerian opposition into a common ideological programme and credible candidacy to save democracy and the country from looming anarchy”.