Osun Election: Adeleke’s victory our template for 2027, says opposition coalition

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By Omeiza Ajayi, Abuja

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A coalition of opposition leaders and stakeholders under the aegis of G100 has congratulated Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on his re-election, describing the outcome as a template the national opposition should replicate ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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In a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja and signed by Salihu Moh. Lukman, G100 congratulated not only Adeleke but, more importantly, the people of Osun State, whose determination it said had prevailed at the polls.

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The group called on opposition leaders who believe Nigeria requires a different direction in 2027 to demonstrate the same courage, restraint and willingness to compromise that, according to it, contributed to the outcome in Osun.

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“Osun has shown the pathway. The task now is to take that spirit of cooperation to the national stage,” the group said.

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G100 also commended leaders and candidates of opposition parties who, during the election, set aside their individual ambitions and mobilised their structures and supporters behind Adeleke’s candidacy.

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According to the coalition, their decision demonstrated that there were moments when the broader democratic interest should take precedence over individual ambitions and party interests.

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“The significance of what has happened in Osun goes far beyond the re-election of one governor. Osun has provided a template for 2027,” the statement read.

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G100 said it had argued for weeks that Nigeria’s opposition was not short of popular support but was weakened by fragmentation.

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It said the Osun election had demonstrated what could be achieved when opposition forces identified a common objective, made necessary compromises and consolidated their strength behind a viable democratic choice.

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“The governorship candidates who stepped down and supported Governor Adeleke were each entitled to pursue their own ambitions. They chose instead to ask a more important question: what outcome best serves the people and strengthens the democratic cause?” the statement said.

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The coalition argued that the national opposition must now confront the same question, stressing that Nigeria was bigger than any single candidate, political ambition or party.

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It urged opposition leaders and stakeholders to draw lessons from the Osun experience and work towards building a broad-based alliance capable of presenting a credible alternative to Nigerians in 2027.

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