Opposition coalition leader Salihu Lukman has said the outcome of the 2026 Osun State governorship election offers opposition parties a possible strategy for defeating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
Lukman made the statement while reacting to Governor Ademola Adeleke’s victory in the Osun governorship poll, where the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate secured another term in office.
According to him, the significance of the election extends beyond Adeleke’s victory, as the outcome demonstrated the potential impact of opposition unity and strategic cooperation.
Lukman argued that opposition parties could pose a stronger challenge to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) if they were able to put aside individual ambitions and work together ahead of the 2027 election.
He pointed to the political alliances witnessed during the Osun election as an example of what could be achieved when opposition politicians unite behind a common objective.
The coalition leader maintained that the opposition’s biggest challenge is its division and competing political interests, rather than a lack of support among Nigerians.
He therefore urged opposition leaders to prioritise the broader national interest and be willing to make political compromises ahead of the 2027 presidential contest.
Lukman’s comments come as opposition parties and political groups intensify efforts to form a stronger alliance capable of challenging Tinubu and the APC in the next presidential election.