Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, has described Governor Ademola Adeleke’s victory in Saturday’s Osun State governorship election as a significant affirmation of the power of the electorate and the importance of allowing the will of the people to prevail in a democracy.
George, the Atona Oodua of Yorubaland, congratulated Adeleke on his re-election and commended the peaceful conduct of the election, saying the outcome should serve as an important lesson for Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He said the right of Nigerians to freely choose their leaders must remain at the heart of the country’s democratic process, urging political actors and institutions to demonstrate restraint, fairness and respect for the wishes of the electorate.
George also expressed satisfaction that the election was concluded peacefully without a major crisis over the result.
He said, “Many people have forgotten that the Wild, Wild West of the First Republic actually started from the Osun Division of the defunct Western Region — Osogbo, Ikire, Ede, Ila-Orangun, Ode-Omu, Ile-Ife, Gbongan, Iwo, Ejigbo and others. That is the real West.
“I therefore want to commend the people of Osun for demonstrating that the ultimate civil, political and democratic authority belongs to the people and is exercised through the ballot.
“In exercising political power, those entrusted with public office must always remember that their mandate comes from the people. An incumbent may have the advantages of office, but ultimately, it is the electorate that determines whether that mandate should be renewed.
“If you work in the interest of the people, they have the opportunity to reward you with their votes. Where they believe otherwise, they are equally entitled to make a different choice. That is the beauty of democracy.
“Governor Adeleke worked, and the people have expressed their judgment through the ballot. Today, we can see that there is peace across the state because the electoral process has been allowed to run its course.”
Looking ahead to 2027, George appealed to President Bola Tinubu to uphold democratic principles and ensure that every qualified Nigerian willing to contest an election is allowed to do so in accordance with the law.
“My appeal to President Bola Tinubu, as we look towards 2027, is to continue to uphold the democratic principle that every qualified Nigerian who wishes to contest should be allowed to do so in accordance with the law. Nigerians, through their votes, should be allowed to decide who they want to lead them,” he said.
George said the Osun election demonstrated that political influence and access to resources did not automatically translate into ownership of the people’s mandate.
“What happened in Osun is a practical demonstration of the saying that power ultimately belongs to the people. Despite the presence and political strength of many leading members of the APC, including governors, senators and other senior political figures, the electorate made its choice.
“Political power may provide access to connections, resources and influence, but it does not confer ownership of the people’s mandate. Nigerians are increasingly politically conscious and determined to exercise their democratic rights.”
He further urged the President to continue to assess the conduct of members of his administration, stressing that public officials must act in ways that strengthen public confidence in government.
“The President should also continue to assess the conduct of those serving in his administration. Public officials must understand that their words and actions can either strengthen public confidence in government or diminish it. Those who serve must do so with humility and respect for Nigerians,” he said.
The PDP chieftain urged Nigerians to defend their democratic rights ahead of the 2027 elections, saying the credibility of the electoral process would depend largely on citizens’ confidence that their votes would count.
“As we approach 2027, Nigerians must be allowed to exercise their democratic rights without intimidation, undue interference or manipulation. Our democracy will be strengthened when every citizen has confidence that his or her vote will count,” he said.
George also commended what he described as the widespread acceptance of the result announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), saying the electoral umpire could strengthen public confidence in democracy by discharging its responsibilities fairly, transparently and objectively.
He congratulated Adeleke and urged him to regard his victory as a renewed mandate from the people of Osun State.
“I congratulate Governor Adeleke and urge him to see this victory as a renewed contract with the people of Osun State. From now until 2030, he must work even harder, justify the confidence reposed in him and deliver greater dividends of democracy to the people,” he said.
George added that the major lesson from the Osun election was that democracy thrives when political leaders, institutions and citizens respect the ballot and place the peace and stability of the country above partisan interests.
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