The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has congratulated Governor Ademola Adeleke on his re-election in the Osun State governorship election, describing the outcome as a victory for democracy and the people of the state.
The party, however, faulted Adeleke’s reported decision to support President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election, describing the move as premature.
Speaking on the election, NDC National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, commended Osun voters for coming out to exercise their franchise and insisting that their votes must count.
Director said the election demonstrated that voters could resist what he described as “tyranny”, “civilian dictatorship” and attempts to suppress their will through the electoral process.
He said Adeleke’s victory showed that even the influence of the Federal Government could not determine the outcome of an election when voters were determined to make their choice.
“The victory of the Accord Party in the Osun State governorship election is a victory for democracy. It is a triumph of the people’s will over any authoritarian leadership,” he said.
Director also praised Adeleke for insisting on his right to contest the election and seek the support of the people.
However, he expressed surprise at the governor’s reported promise to support Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
“I am surprised that Adeleke is promising to deliver Osun to President Bola Tinubu come 2027 presidential election. I think that is too hasty of him to say,” Director said.
He argued that Adeleke should allow the people of Osun to decide who they want to support in the presidential election, rather than promising to deliver the state to a particular candidate.
Director also questioned whether such an endorsement reflected the wishes of those who supported Adeleke’s re-election, particularly those who, according to him, lost their lives during the political struggle surrounding the election.
“If you think of those who died in the process to ensure that he gets the victory he desired, is he saying that they should die in vain?” he asked.
He added that even the Federal Government could not dictate the outcome of the Osun election, despite the alleged deployment of federal influence.
“Just like Bola Tinubu, with all the federal might, could not determine what the Osun people were going to do,” he said.
“So let him just savour his victory and allow the people in Osun State to decide who they are going to vote for in the presidential election in 2027.”
The NDC spokesperson also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the conduct of the Osun election but urged the commission to sustain the standard it set with the poll.
He warned against allowing the improvements recorded in the election to become a one-off development ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“I hope this is not going to be a flash in the pan on the part of INEC to make us lose our guards and think that come 2027 it will be this transparent,” he said.
Director said the NDC would continue to hold INEC accountable and urged the commission to ensure that the 2027 elections are transparent, credible and participatory.
He added that Nigerians were looking forward to elections where their votes would count and the process would no longer be treated as a do-or-die affair.
