By Musa Baba Adamu
Former Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung, has cautioned President Bola Tinubu’s administration against relying on political defections and endorsements as indicators of electoral strength, insisting that Nigerians will ultimately judge the government by its handling of the economy and security.
Dalung, who served under the late President Muhammadu Buhari, made the remarks in a post on his X account, arguing that public perception ahead of the 2027 general election will be shaped more by citizens’ daily experiences than by political alignments.
According to the former minister, governments seeking re-election must continually earn the trust and goodwill of the electorate through policies that ease hardship, improve security and deliver on campaign promises.
He maintained that many Nigerians are grappling with rising living costs, unemployment and insecurity, warning that such realities could significantly influence voting patterns in the next presidential election.
Dalung stressed that incumbents often lose elections not because the opposition becomes stronger, but because they become disconnected from the people they govern.
He further argued that every unmet expectation and broken promise creates dissatisfaction among voters, adding that elections effectively begin long before the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) unveils the official election timetable.
The former minister said hunger, economic hardship and hopelessness remain more powerful political forces than campaign rhetoric, noting that no speech can outweigh the everyday experiences of ordinary Nigerians.
He urged the Tinubu administration to prioritize addressing the country’s economic and security challenges if it hopes to secure another term in office.
“When I say President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is working very hard to lose the 2027 election, I am not making a political wish. I am making a political assessment,” Dalung said.
He added that governments retain public support by making “deposits” through policies that improve citizens’ welfare, protect lives and fulfil promises, warning that when “withdrawals become greater than the deposits,” electoral consequences become inevitable.
Never miss a moment! Get the stories shaping Nigeria, delivered straight to your phone. Follow Peoplesdaily Newspaper on WhatsApp for breaking news, exclusive reports, and the headlines everyone will be talking about, before anyone else.
