Political analyst Kabiru Ojo has described the outcome of the recently concluded Osun State governorship election as a significant warning to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general Elections.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) winner of a second term. Adeleke secured 511,067 votes, defeating his closest challenger, Bola Oyebamiji of the APC, who polled 444,815 votes.
Speaking in an exclusive interview, Ojo said the election demonstrated that the collective power of voters remains stronger than the influence of political office holders, security agencies, and state institutions. He commended INEC and the people of Osun State for resisting what he described as intimidation during the polling process.
“The development should give Nigerians hope that the 2027 election can be different if voters remain united and defend their votes,” Ojo said.
He noted the heavy deployment of security personnel and political leaders to Osun ahead of the election, including approximately 16 serving APC governors and several senior security officers. Ojo argued this presence underscored how critical the poll was to the ruling party, which viewed the outcome as having potential implications for the 2027 presidential contest.
“What happened in Osun gives all Nigerians joy about how the 2027 presidential election will look. If Osun people can stand firm despite all the intimidation and difficulties, then Nigerians can also do the same in 2027,” he said.
The analyst emphasized that the presence of governors, senators, and other political office holders behind a candidate does not automatically guarantee electoral victory. He stressed that voters must not only cast their ballots but also remain at polling units to monitor the process through the final declaration of results.
“The masses have the power. The collective unity of the masses determines who will win the 2027 election,” Ojo said.
He praised INEC for the conduct of the election, citing the acceptance of results by defeated candidates as an important indicator of credibility. Ojo specifically highlighted the ADC candidate’s concession, including after losing his own polling unit, as evidence that political actors can accept the electorate’s will when the process is transparent.
Ojo urged Nigerians to learn from the Osun experience by remaining vigilant and protecting their votes in 2027. He said the election sent a message that citizens are increasingly willing to resist political and security intimidation when exercising their democratic rights.
“2027 is not about APC, ADC or any other political party. It is about the survival of Nigeria,” he said.
Ojo further predicted that the APC would face a difficult contest in 2027. He argued that economic hardship and policies of the current administration have generated widespread dissatisfaction. According to him, Nigerians will be looking for leadership capable of improving living conditions and introducing policies that bring relief to ordinary citizens.
“We need a leader who will have mercy on the masses and whose policies will bring succour to the people, not policies that will push Nigerians into abject poverty,” Ojo said.
He maintained that the Osun election proved political power ultimately belongs to the electorate, not to political office holders.
