BY ABADOM LAWRENCE AMECHI
TO CLAIM that the Osun State election was “free and fair” and leave it at that is blatantly unrealistic. It will be a deliberate attempt to push a false narrative because the diabolical schemes of the APC did not work.
An election is not a single event. It is a process. That process includes: candidate emergence, voter registration and collection of PVCs, campaigning, mobilization and sensitization of party agents and members, voting, counting, collation, and announcement. To declare an election free and fair, the entire process must be assessed. It is not enough to reach that conclusion simply because an underdog won.
But, as Bob Marley said: “You can fool some people sometimes, but you can’t fool all the people all the time.” While the APC was busy rehearsing its unconventional winning formula that has helped railroad the nation toward an almost one-party state, the people were busy registering for PVCs, collecting their cards, and planning how to protect their votes.
Governor Ademola Adeleke entered the election as an underdog, even though he is the incumbent. The ruling APC was menacingly wielding the “hammer of federal might” over him. Imbued by the President’s declaration that “all is fair in politics,” the APC went all out to ensure Adeleke was defeated, by any method necessary.
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That hammer worked in Edo. It worked in Ekiti. So, it was widely believed it would work in Osun too. It wasn’t used in Anambra because Governor Charles Soludo had already pledged loyalty to Tinubu.
When Governor Adeleke tried to defect to the APC, sensing he might be stranded by the PDP crisis, the move was reportedly blocked by the powers that be within the Osun APC.
At the height of the electioneering schemes and intrigues, the governor was pointing accusing fingers at former Governor Oyetola, whom he claimed was still bitter over his last defeat. He also alleged that the Commissioner of Police was being partisan.
What worked for Adeleke is the resolve of the good people of Osun – the ones Yorubas call Ọmọlúàbí, who could not, in good conscience, remember anything good the APC did in the 12 years they were in power. No political capital was built. No real value was created. It was a “we vs them” government: if you were not part of the “we,” you were out. The people were simply afraid of returning to the days of darkness.
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The story of a young lady on social media is still going viral. She recounted how her mother and other civil servants were paid half salaries for years under Governor Aregbesola. She said the backlog was never cleared by Governor Oyetola. Even after her mother retired, her gratuity was not paid, leaving the family in serious financial hardship.
It was Governor Ademola Adeleke who finally paid the salary backlog for all staff, the gratuities of retirees, and the pension arrears owed to pensioners. Adeleke runs a people-oriented government. He is close to the people, especially civil servants.
We may be at the dawn of a new era.
Before now, elections were not won at the polling booth. Voting was just a ritual meant to validate the hidden manipulation of the political leviathan and its dark forces.
But, as Bob Marley said: “You can fool some people sometimes, but you can’t fool all the people all the time.” While the APC was busy rehearsing its unconventional winning formula that has helped railroad the nation toward an almost one-party state, the people were busy registering for PVCs, collecting their cards, and planning how to protect their votes.
The APC was afraid of itself. They knew they couldn’t win Osun on merit.
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No legacy. Just propaganda. At the federal level, their performance is woeful. And Nigerians, including Osun people, are tired. When propaganda failed because people could see the truth with their own eyes, they switched to accusations. Accord Party complained about the continued harassment of their leader. Some were arrested and dragged to Abuja. Even the SSG was arrested. He was only released after the governor and Nigerians cried out. Then they accused the governor of harbouring criminals in Government House. He denied it. The plan was clear: discredit the government, stampede it, and break it.
Obaseki added: “His victory also sends a clear message that when the people stand together with courage, determination and a common purpose, they possess the power to defend their democratic choices and compel political leaders to act in the best interests of the people.”
There was violence. Deliberate violence.
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Both sides traded accusations while people were being maimed and killed – all to intimidate voters.
According to Sahara Reporters, 29 people were killed in 73 violent incidents.
APC’s Senator Francis Fadahunsi was caught on camera telling supporters to kill Accord Party members. He later denied the statement at the police station.
A local woman nicknamed “Arugba,” alleged to be an APC supporter, was filmed threatening to cut off the fingers of voters who cast ballots for rival parties.
The Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, called for the immediate arrest and investigation of Francis Eniade, the APC House of Representatives candidate for Ifelodun, Boripe and Odo-Otin Federal Constituency, over violent statements against him and other Accord Party members.
There was also a statement, allegedly made by Mutali Adisa, the Seriki of Ikire, warning that anyone not voting for the APC candidate should not “cross the gutter” on election day.
According to Sahara Reporters, Hon. Babatunde Komolafe Festus, the House of Assembly candidate for Atakumosa East/West LGA of Osun State, was arrested by the Navy over allegations of gun possession.
There are probably many more.
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Governor Adeleke won not just because the election was free and fair. He won because the people of Osun were scared of returning to a past with no good memories. They registered, collected their voter cards, came out to vote, and stayed to watch their votes.
We saw pictures of women who came to polling booths with their lunch. Youths followed ballot boxes to the state collation centre and waited until the final results were announced. The presence of the people prevented manipulation. This is a victory for the resilience of Osun voters.
If this marks a new dawn for electoral democracy in Nigeria, then indeed, ‘Osun is where the sun rises.’
INEC deserves commendation.
While not perfect, its performance showed clear progress compared to past elections.
There were improvements in logistics, deployment of card readers, and result uploads. Security personnel also conducted themselves daily well. We hope and pray that these gains will be sustained in the 2027 elections.
The Bigger Message
According to former Governor Obaseki, Governor Adeleke’s victory sends a clear message to all Nigerians.
“It demonstrates the futility of anti-democratic forces deployed by desperate politicians to subvert the will of the people,” he said.
Obaseki added: “His victory also sends a clear message that when the people stand together with courage, determination and a common purpose, they possess the power to defend their democratic choices and compel political leaders to act in the best interests of the people.”
