A public affairs analyst and opposition party chieftain, Salihu Lukman, has explained why opposition parties should unite behind a single presidential candidate to unseat incumbent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the January 16, 2027, presidential election.

In a statement at the weekend, Lukman explained that division among opposition leaders would be their albatross.

According to him, it is only by putting their hands together that opposition parties can pull enough votes to end Tinubu’s re-election bid.

“The experience of elections in Nigeria and elsewhere has repeatedly demonstrated that a divided opposition often strengthens the incumbent. When parties competing for the same broad constituency fragment their energies, resources and votes, they risk turning their differences into an unintended advantage for those they seek to replace.

“Division is a choice. Cooperation must now become a strategy,” he stated.

Recall that opposition parties, including the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Allied Peoples Movement, APM, a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the Social Democratic Party, SDP, plan to gather on Monday, August 31, to unite against Tinubu’s return in 2027.

Plateau United technical adviser, Gbenga Ogunbote has blamed the playing turf of the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt-court for his team’s defeat to Rivers United.

The Peace Boys suffered a 2-0 defeat to Rivers United in their opening game of the new season.

Abdulrasheed Dabai and Wasiu Falolu got the goals for the home team.

Ogunbote also expressed displeasure with his team’s performance especially in the first half.

“The first half we didn’t get the game right but the corrections were made in the second half,” Ogunbote reacted to the club’s media.

“We were able to play like a more balanced side in the second half but unfortunately the field didn’t allow it.

“Our reaction was a little slow and poor. The game is gone we will take positives from it in the next game.”