Former Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung, has said the outcome of the 2027 presidential election should ultimately be viewed as the decision of Nigerians, regardless of whether the opposition succeeds in forming a united political front.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Dalung said he would accept a possible victory for President Bola Tinubu as the verdict of the electorate rather than attribute it to the failure of opposition parties to build a successful coalition.
According to him, political coalitions are only vehicles through which politicians present their ideas to Nigerians, while the final decision remains with the voters.
I will accept it as a verdict of Nigerians,” Dalung said.
He argued that if Tinubu wins re-election in 2027, it would indicate that the opposition had failed to convince Nigerians that its proposed alternative was better.
Dalung’s position comes as opposition parties intensify efforts to create a common platform ahead of the election, with several parties exploring ways to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Six opposition parties recently backed a proposal for a “government of national competence” that would serve a single four-year transitional term if the coalition wins the 2027 election.
The proposed arrangement involves the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) and Social Democratic Party (SDP).
The coalition proposal includes a transition charter, central leadership structure and various committees tasked with issues ranging from democratic reforms to the selection of a common presidential candidate.
However, Dalung’s comments introduce a different perspective into the opposition debate: that political unity alone may not determine the 2027 outcome.
Rather, he suggested that the crucial test for the opposition would be its ability to connect with voters, convince Nigerians on key national issues and present a credible alternative to the ruling party.
With the 2027 contest already shaping up as a major political battle, the growing coalition efforts are expected to face questions over leadership, ideology, candidate selection and the ability of different opposition interests to remain united until election day.
