Former Senate President and Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees, Senator Adolphus Wabara, has congratulated Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, on his victory in Saturday’s governorship election, describing the outcome as a triumph of the people’s will over federal might and political intimidation.

Wabara said the result demonstrated that political mobilisation and federal power could not permanently suppress the will of a determined electorate.

He, however, cautioned Nigerians against becoming complacent over the Osun outcome, warning that the election could be part of a wider political strategy by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to him, while the result showed that the APC could be defeated, Nigerians should not assume that the Osun outcome would automatically translate into an opposition victory at the national level in 2027.

“The Osun victory is encouraging, but Nigerians must not become complacent. We must be very circumspect because the APC is full of master strategists.

“What if Osun is a smokescreen for an APC victory in 2027? What if the ruling party is deliberately allowing Nigerians to believe that it can be defeated, while it perfects its strategies for the bigger battle ahead?

“We must not dismiss this possibility. The real battle is 2027, and Nigerians must remain vigilant. The Osun election must be seen as a lesson, not as a guarantee of what will happen in the presidential election.

“Let nobody be carried away. The APC controls the Federal Government and has enormous political resources and machinery at its disposal. It would therefore be dangerous for the opposition to relax or assume that victory in Osun means victory in Nigeria.”

Wabara particularly commended the people of Osun State for standing behind their preferred candidate despite what he described as the “enormous political machinery” mobilised by the APC-led Federal Government.

“Osun people have written their names in gold in the history of Nigerian democracy. They demonstrated uncommon courage and resilience by refusing to be intimidated or stampeded into surrendering their democratic rights.

“They stood their ground in the face of intimidation, threats and the overbearing presence of those who perhaps believed that federal power had made them untouchable.

“The people have once again reminded us that in a democracy, sovereignty ultimately belongs to the people.

“The message from Osun is clear: power belongs to the people, not to any government, political party or individual. When citizens unite around their convictions and protect their votes, no amount of federal might can simply impose an unpopular candidate on them.”

Wabara said the major lesson from the election was the need for Nigerians to turn out massively in 2027, vote according to their conscience and remain at their polling units and collation centres to protect their votes.

“If Nigerians come out in their millions in 2027, vote according to their conscience and remain at their polling units and collation centres to protect their ballots, nobody will be able to manipulate the outcome of the election.

“The people must understand that voting is only one part of the democratic responsibility. Defending the votes after casting them is equally important.

“The Osun experience has shown that when citizens are vigilant, organised and courageous, the power of the ballot can prevail over the power of incumbency. But Nigerians must not lower their guard because of one victory.”

Opposition must unite against APC

The former Senate President urged opposition parties to put aside their differences and unite behind a single presidential candidate ahead of 2027, warning that disunity could squander whatever advantage the Osun election may have created.

“We have always maintained that the 2027 elections will be between Nigerians and the APC, as was demonstrated in Osun. But the opposition must come solidly together behind one candidate, irrespective of party, to be able to clinch victory in 2027.

“The opposition cannot afford to go into 2027 divided. If we present multiple candidates and split the votes, we may only be helping the APC.

“Osun has shown that the people can defeat an incumbent political machine, but it has also taught us that we must prepare for the bigger battle. We must build a strong, united and credible opposition capable of winning not just an individual state but the presidency.”

Wabara reiterated that the Osun outcome should not lull Nigerians into believing that the APC had been defeated ahead of 2027.

“The APC should not be underestimated. Nigerians must be circumspect. They must watch every move, scrutinise every development and ensure that they are not psychologically disarmed by the outcome of Osun.

“Whether Osun is a genuine indication of a weakening APC or a carefully calculated political smokescreen ahead of 2027, we cannot afford to take chances. The only safe approach is vigilance.

“The opposition must prepare as if it is facing the strongest political machine in the country, while Nigerians must be ready to defend their votes peacefully and democratically.”

Wabara also congratulated the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the relatively prompt uploading of polling-unit results on its Result Viewing Portal (IReV), saying the development enhanced transparency and allowed Nigerians to follow the collation process with greater confidence.

He urged the electoral commission to sustain and improve on the process in all elections leading to, and including, the 2027 general elections.

“INEC must sustain this momentum. Nigerians want an electoral system where results are uploaded promptly, transparently and consistently. We must say a permanent goodbye to avoidable technical glitches, unexplained delays and every process that creates suspicion about the integrity of elections.

“I also urge INEC to urgently address the challenges being experienced with the BVAS, particularly instances where the device fails to capture the fingerprints of duly accredited voters. No eligible Nigerian should be disenfranchised because of a technological failure.

“The commission has ample time before 2027 to thoroughly test, upgrade and perfect its technology and logistics. Every legitimate voter must be guaranteed the opportunity to vote, and every vote must count.”

Wabara said Nigerians were increasingly conscious of their power to determine their political future, adding that the 2027 election should focus on performance, accountability and the welfare of citizens.

“I congratulate Governor Ademola Adeleke, the people of Osun State and all Nigerians who believe in the democratic process.

“But let Osun not make us sleep. Let it make us more vigilant. Let Nigerians across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory come out massively in 2027, vote freely, protect their votes and peacefully insist that their mandate must prevail.

“The lesson of Osun is not that APC has been defeated. The lesson is that APC can be defeated—but only if Nigerians remain united, vigilant and determined to defend their democratic choices.” (Vanguard)

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