Key Points
- Seye Oladejo says Adeleke’s victory has challenged the one-party state narrative.
- He says the outcome shows that voters can still determine electoral outcomes.
- Oladejo urges the governor to focus on development during his second term.
- He says the election offers lessons ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Main Story
A former APC spokesman in Lagos State, Seye Oladejo, has described Gov. Ademola Adeleke’s re-election in Osun as a triumph for democracy.
Oladejo said the outcome had also challenged the growing narrative that Nigeria was drifting towards a one-party state.
He said this in a statement on Monday, describing Adeleke’s victory as evidence of the resilience and competitiveness of Nigeria’s democratic system.
Oladejo said the movement of politicians across party lines and defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) had raised concerns about the future of opposition politics.
He, however, said the Osun election provided a reality check to those concerns, noting that Adeleke secured re-election on a platform outside the ruling party.
According to him, the result showed that voters could still make independent choices and that no political party could claim permanent control of electoral outcomes.
“There is nothing in democracy called the ‘invincibility of the ruling party.’ Absolutely nothing.
“No ruling party, regardless of its structure, influence, resources, incumbency or political pedigree, possesses a permanent certificate of victory,” Oladejo said.
He urged political parties, including the APC, to avoid complacency and approach every election as a fresh contest requiring them to earn voters’ support.
Oladejo also said the electorate should not be regarded as politically predictable, adding that voters could make different choices based on candidates, performance and prevailing circumstances.
The APC chieftain said President Bola Tinubu’s democratic credentials should also be assessed by how elections were handled when outcomes did not favour his party.
He said Tinubu’s reported acceptance of Adeleke’s victory and congratulatory gesture deserved recognition as evidence of democratic maturity.
“Democracy is not only about celebrating when your candidate wins. It is also about accepting the verdict of the people when your candidate loses,” he said.
The Issues
Oladejo said the election had challenged concerns that the growing strength of the APC and defections from opposition parties would lead to a one-party political system.
What’s Being Said
Oladejo said the outcome demonstrated that voters remained capable of producing unexpected electoral results and that political parties had no permanent claim to victory.
What’s Next
Oladejo urged Adeleke to use his second term to improve infrastructure, education, healthcare, security, job creation and economic opportunities in Osun.
Bottom Line
Oladejo said Adeleke’s re-election showed that Nigeria’s political space remained competitive and that every electoral mandate must be earned.
