Opposition coalition leader Salihu Lukman has said the outcome of the Osun State governorship election offers opposition parties a clear path to defeating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
Lukman, in a statement issued at the weekend, said the victory recorded by Governor Ademola Adeleke had demonstrated what could be achieved when opposition forces work together.
The Independent National Electoral Commission declared Adeleke the winner of the election after he defeated the All Progressives Congress candidate, Bola Oyebamiji.
The result has generated widespread reactions from Nigerians and political observers, with attention now focused on its possible implications for the 2027 political contest.
Reacting to the development, Lukman described the Osun election as a useful example for opposition parties seeking to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress at the national level.
He argued that the opposition does not lack public support, but remains weakened by divisions among its leaders and political groups.
According to him, opposition politicians must be prepared to set aside personal ambitions and party interests if they genuinely want to present a strong challenge to Tinubu in 2027.
“Nigeria’s opposition does not suffer from a shortage of popular support. Its greatest challenge is fragmentation.
“Nigeria is bigger than any candidate, any ambition and any political party. If opposition leaders genuinely believe that the country requires a different direction in 2027, then they must demonstrate the same courage, restraint and willingness to compromise that has now produced this outcome in Osun,” he said.
