… says outcomes show APC can be defeated
By Olawale Lamina
Erstwhile National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New People’s Democratic Party (nPDP) and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has described the outcome of the 2026 Osun State Governorship Election as victory of light over darkness and a demonstration of the power of the people when they are determined to defend their democratic rights.
Eze, while congratulating the people of Osun State on what he described as a remarkable electoral victory, in a statement made available to journalists, said the result was, above all, “God’s victory and not anybody’s victory.”
According to him, the Osun electorate have provided Nigerians with a practical lesson ahead of the 2027 general elections by demonstrating that citizens can change the political direction of the country through their votes, provided they remain vigilant and protect the integrity of their votes.
He said: “This victory is a victory of light over darkness. It is a victory that belongs principally to God and to the people of Osun State who refused to surrender their democratic rights. They have shown Nigerians that no political machinery, no amount of intimidation and no gathering of political power can permanently defeat the will of the people when the people stand together.”
The ADC chief described the victory of Governor Ademola Adeleke as particularly significant against what he characterised as the enormous political machinery deployed against him, noting that the outcome should serve as a wake-up call to political leaders who believe that governmental power automatically translates into electoral victory.
He congratulated Governor Adeleke and the people of Osun State, urging the re-elected governor to regard the outcome as a fresh mandate and a solemn responsibility to justify the confidence reposed in him by the people
Eze also recalled the earlier position of former governor of Rivers State and the ADC Vice Presidential Candidate, Rt. Hon. Barr Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, that defeating the APC in 2027 would not be an insurmountable political task if Nigerians were prepared to vote and, more importantly, protect their votes.
According to Eze, the Osun experience has given practical meaning to that counsel.
“Amaechi had earlier made the point that the APC can be defeated in 2027 if Nigerians come out, vote and protect their votes. Osun has now demonstrated that this is not merely political rhetoric. It is achievable.”
He therefore called on Nigerians across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, to study the Osun experience and prepare to exercise their constitutional right to determine the future leadership of Nigeria through the ballot box in 2027.
Eze said the lesson from Osun was bigger than any individual, political party or election, stressing that it was about the capacity of ordinary Nigerians to reclaim their political power.
He said: “The message from Osun is simple: the power belongs to the people. If Nigerians replicate the vigilance, determination and courage s by the Osun electorate, we can rescue our nation from those who have taken Nigerians for granted and believe that they can continue to govern without accountability to the people.”
He further said the outcome called for celebration among all Nigerians who believe in democracy, while expressing his willingness to celebrate with Governor Adeleke and the people of Osun State.
But Eze warned the APC-led Federal Government not to dismiss the Osun outcome as an isolated political development, saying that the result should compel the President and his political allies to reassess their strategy ahead of 2027.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his political associates should understand that the political equation has changed. The people are becoming conscious of their power. The Osun election is a warning that political structures built on the assumption that Nigerians have no alternative can collapse when citizens decide to take back their votes.”
He urged Nigerians not to be intimidated by political power, money or incumbency, but to remain peaceful, vigilant and committed to protecting the sanctity of their votes.
While congratulating the people of Osun State once again, Eze said the outcome had strengthened his belief that the 2027 elections could provide Nigerians with an opportunity to demand a new direction for the country and urged Gov. Adeleke to dismiss Tinubu’s claim of support for his reelection stressing that supporting the President in 2027 against the peoples efforts to reclaim the country will be a great disservice to Nigerians who stood by him,. particularly the people of Osun who fought against federal might to ensure his emergence.
According to him, Tinubu if qualified to stand election, “given his faulty foundation,will be voted out by the masses considering his bizzare record and poor performance in the last couple of years.”
Eze concluded by stressing that, “Osun has spoken. Nigerians should listen. The people have demonstrated that democracy still belongs to them. The task before Nigerians in 2027 is to vote according to their conscience, protect their votes and ensure that the will of the people prevails. The people, not political godfathers, must decide who governs Nigeria.”
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