Osun Victory: NDC Hails Adeleke, Faults Tinubu 2027 Endorsement

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has congratulated Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on his re-election, describing Saturday’s governorship election as a victory for democracy and a triumph of the people’s will, but faulted his reported pledge to support President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.

The NDC National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, said the endorsement was premature and reflected what he described as the self-interest of Nigeria’s political elite.

Reacting to the election outcome, Director commended the people of Osun State for turning out to vote, saying the poll demonstrated that citizens could resist what he termed “tyranny,” “civilian dictatorship” and attempts to suppress their democratic choices through the electoral process.

“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.

“It is a befitting crowning of the dogged efforts of the great people of Osun who resisted tyranny, who resisted civilian dictatorship, who resisted oppression and refused to be silenced and insisted that their vote must count.”

Director also commended Adeleke for insisting on his right to contest the election and allowing the electorate to determine his political fate.

“I commend Governor Adeleke for standing firm to insist that he has the right to contest and be voted for by his people if that is their choice, and indeed, that is actually their choice and became their choice,” he said.

However, the NDC spokesman expressed concern over Adeleke’s reported commitment to support Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, questioning whether the pledge reflected the interests and sacrifices of those who supported the governor’s re-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,” he said.

“He shows our elitist disposition. Political elite and ruling class are usually concerned about themselves.”

Director added that Adeleke should consider those who allegedly 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 urged Adeleke to savour his electoral victory and allow the people of Osun State to independently decide who they would support in the 2027 presidential election.

Director argued that the outcome of the governorship election had demonstrated the limits of political power, saying even the alleged deployment of federal might could not determine the choice of voters.

“Also, in any case, he cannot determine what the people will do. 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 also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its conduct of the election but warned that the credibility recorded in Osun must not be a one-off achievement.

Director said INEC would be judged against the standard established by the Osun poll and urged the commission to sustain transparency and credibility ahead of the 2027 general election.

“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.

“We are going to hold them to account to live up to this standard.”

The NDC spokesman also recalled INEC’s assurances that technical challenges associated with electronic transmission and other electoral technologies would be addressed, stressing that Nigerians expected the 2027 presidential election to be transparent, participatory and credible.

“Kudos to Nigerians that we are at least moving towards the attainment of where elections are not a do-or-die affair and where the votes of the people count,” the director said.