“The People, Not the Opposition”: Dalung on What a Tinubu 2027 Win Would Mean

Solomon Dalung is already preparing for a political possibility many opposition supporters would rather not discuss.

What happens if President Bola Tinubu wins in 2027?

Dalung says he will accept it.

The former Minister of Youth and Sports and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress said a Tinubu victory would be the verdict of Nigerians, not proof that the opposition coalition had failed.

Asked whether he would blame the opposition’s inability to unite if Tinubu secured another term, Dalung rejected the idea.

He said he would accept the result as the decision of the electorate.

That is not the usual opposition language

Opposition politics often comes with explanations ready before election day. The system was unfair. The coalition failed. The party machinery was stronger. The election was manipulated.

Dalung’s position is different. He is effectively saying that if Nigerians choose Tinubu, the opposition must accept that voters have made a decision.

That does not mean he supports Tinubu.

It means he is placing the ultimate responsibility for the result with voters.

Then comes the economy

Dalung believes the economy will be one of the biggest factors in the 2027 election.

That is hardly surprising. Cost of living, food prices, wages, jobs, purchasing power and the value of the naira have become central political issues.

For the Tinubu administration, the argument is that its reforms need time to produce stronger results.

For the opposition, the argument is that Nigerians are already paying the price for those reforms.

The 2027 election will therefore offer voters a chance to judge both arguments.

What Dalung’s statement means

There is also a deeper political message in his position. Opposition parties cannot simply tell Nigerians that they must vote against Tinubu.

ADVERTISEMENT

They must persuade voters to vote for something.

That means presenting credible candidates, clear policies and a believable alternative.

If they fail, they cannot assume that frustration with the government automatically becomes an opposition vote.

ValidViewNetwork reports that Dalung’s comments place a simple but important responsibility at the centre of the 2027 contest: voters, not political parties, will ultimately decide who occupies Aso Rock.

If Tinubu wins, Dalung says he will accept it.If the opposition wins, the same democratic principle should apply.

The ballot remains the final argument.