By Akinwale Kasali
Solomon Dalung, former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, a strong critic of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration, has stated that the outcome of the Osun State Governorship Election, which saw incumbent Governor, Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party defeating the All Progressives Congress, APC, has laid the foundation for what Nigerians should expect in the 2027 general elections.
Dalung, a Chieftain of opposition Party, African Democratic Congress, ADC, during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Wednesday argued that the Osun election has demonstrated that the influence of the ruling APC, including what he described as “federal might,” could be defeated at the polls.
According to Dalung, the outcome of the election was a confirmation of his earlier prediction about the 2027 presidential election.
“What happened in Osun is a confirmation of what I said two years ago, that even if Tinubu appointed his wife, Remi Tinubu, as Chief Justice of Nigeria and appointed Seyi, his son, as INEC Chairman, he is going to be defeated woefully in 2027,” he said.
He added that the Osun election had shown that the political structures and influence of the ruling Party could not automatically guarantee victory.
“The election in Osun has come and gone. It has laid the foundation that is going to play out in 2027. The issue of federal might, incumbency, APC being the party in government, has already been put to rest because Nigerians in Osun have proved that there is determination to defend democracy,” he said.
Speaking further, the former Minister argued that the presence of several political heavyweights and government officials in Osun did not translate into electoral victory for the APC.
“Despite the federal might, despite the 30 Governors, 45 members of the National Assembly, National Chairman, Senate President, Speaker, all congregating in Osun, APC suffered a humiliating defeat,” he said.
Criticizing Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, over his comments following the election that Governor Adeleke won because President Tinubu allowed a free and fair election to take place, he argued that Wike should explain the resources deployed by the APC during the campaign instead of blaming the ADC.
“I think reacting to that is what my friend, the Minister of FCT, is trying to cover up. The shame of how they lost in Osun, and so for him, he can relocate that blame to look at the ADC. But why is he not talking of the huge mobilisation resources from all the states wasted there and the humiliating loss APC suffered?” he asked.
Dalung, however maintained that the Osun result was significant because, in his view, it demonstrated that political power and government structures alone could not determine electoral outcomes.
He further disputed any suggestion that the ADC was responsible for APC’s defeat in Osun, and stressed that the party was not responsible for the outcome.
He said the 2027 Presidential Election would ultimately be about the choice Nigerians make at the ballot box rather than simply a contest between President Tinubu and opposition parties.
“2027 is not going to be an issue of Tinubu; it is not even going to be an issue of opposition. No. But the man Nigerians are going to be electing in 2027,” he said.
Dalung also identified regional considerations and the performance of the president as factors that could influence the 2027 election.
“In 2027, regionalism is going to be a factor in the determination of the election. In 2027, too, the President’s performance is going to be an issue,” said the former minister.
He, however, stated his conviction that President Tinubu would ultimately be defeated, arguing that the Governors who had moved into the APC would not be enough to secure victory for the President.
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