‘Anybody on the ballot will defeat Tinubu’ – Dalung

Former Youth and Sports Development Minister Solomon Dalung maintains optimism that President Bola Tinubu will be defeated in the 2027 presidential election, irrespective of who challenges him. During an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Dalung, a member of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, commented on the opposition's prospects against the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

Referring to Tinubu's perceived electoral weaknesses, Dalung stated that an average individual off the street would emerge victorious in a presidential contest with the incumbent. "I have never seen a weak president in an election like Bola Ahmed Tinubu. If you drag anybody on the street and put him on a ballot at a contest with Tinubu, he will defeat him," Dalung remarked.

Discussing the financial advantages APC holds over opposition parties, Dalung pointed out that the ongoing leadership turmoil within the ADC and legal hurdles also pose challenges for the opposition. He accused the ruling party of impeding opposition campaign efforts by closing rally venues, taking over hotels, and sealing party offices.

Drawing parallels with the 2014 election period, Dalung contended that the APC would have faced difficulties campaigning if the then ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, had similarly restricted its activities. Dalung affirmed that forcing opposition parties to host events on the streets wouldn't diminish their base of support, insisting that the attendees were genuine constituents rather than hired crowds.

He explained that these individuals were potential voters who would ultimately decide the 2027 election's outcome.