Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George, has described Governor Ademola Adeleke’s victory in Saturday’s Osun State governorship election as a strong affirmation of the power of the electorate in a democracy.
George, who congratulated Adeleke on his re-election, said the peaceful conduct and acceptance of the election outcome offered an important lesson for Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The PDP chieftain stressed that Nigerians must be allowed to freely choose their leaders through credible elections, while political actors and institutions should respect the wishes of the electorate.
He expressed satisfaction that the Osun election was concluded peacefully, without a major crisis over the results, describing the development as a demonstration that political power ultimately belongs to the people.
“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,” George said.
He commended the people of Osun for exercising their democratic rights through the ballot, noting that elected officials must always remember that their mandates come from the electorate.
According to him, incumbency and political influence may provide advantages, but they do not guarantee electoral victory.
“An incumbent may have the advantages of office, but ultimately it is the electorate that determines whether that mandate should be renewed,” he said.
George said Adeleke’s victory showed that voters could reward a government they believed had performed well, while also retaining the right to choose differently when dissatisfied.
“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,” he added.
Looking ahead to 2027, the elder statesman appealed to President Bola Tinubu to ensure that all qualified Nigerians are allowed to contest elections in accordance with the law and that voters are free to make their choices without intimidation or undue interference.
He said the Osun election demonstrated that political connections, resources and the influence of governors, senators and other senior political figures could not amount to ownership of the people’s mandate.
“Political power may provide access to connections, resources and influence, but it does not confer ownership of the people’s mandate,” George said.
He also urged the President to pay attention to the conduct of public officials, stressing that the words and actions of those serving in government could either strengthen or undermine public confidence in the administration.
George further commended the widespread acceptance of the results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), saying a fair, transparent and objective electoral process was essential to building confidence in democratic institutions.
“When the electoral umpire discharges its responsibilities fairly, transparently, patriotically and objectively, it strengthens public confidence in both the institution and our democracy,” he said.
The PDP chieftain urged Adeleke to regard his victory as a renewed contract with the people of Osun State and to work harder during his second term to deliver greater dividends of democracy.
He said the major lesson from the Osun election was that democracy would thrive when political leaders, institutions and citizens respected the ballot and placed the peace and stability of Nigeria above partisan interests.
“Above all, the lesson from Osun should be that democracy works best when political leaders, institutions and citizens respect the ballot, respect one another and place the peace and stability of our country above partisan considerations,” George said.