(Solomon Dalung. Photo by Wikipedia)
Former Minister of Sports and Youth Development Solomon Dalung has expressed disappointment over what he described as the collapse of a potential opposition coalition that could have mounted a serious challenge in the 2027 general elections, blaming personal ambition and greed for its disintegration.
Speaking in a television interview, Dalung lamented that the hopes of many Nigerians for a united opposition front have been dashed by the fragmentation of opposition leaders across multiple political parties, each pursuing individual political interests rather than a collective goal.
He warned that the growing number of presidential candidates signals a return to the regionalized politics of Nigeria’s First Republic, where political allegiances were largely defined by geographic and ethnic lines.
He argued that with virtually every geopolitical zone producing its own presidential aspirant, the 2027 election is shaping up to be a deeply divided contest in which candidates will focus primarily on mobilizing votes from their home regions rather than building broad national coalitions.
Dalung cautioned that this trajectory could lead to significant political confusion as the election draws closer, ultimately weakening the opposition’s ability to present a credible alternative to the ruling party.