The Strategic Alliance for National Development (STAND) congratulates the Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke, on his re-election in the just-concluded Osun State Governorship Election.
We also commend the people of Osun State for demonstrating once again that, in a democracy, the ultimate political authority belongs to the people and is exercised through the ballot.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Governor Adeleke of the Accord Party winner of the election after he secured 511,067 votes, defeating his closest challenger, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress, who polled 444,815 votes. Adeleke won in 19 of the state’s 30 Local Government Areas.
For STAND, the significance of the Osun election goes beyond the identity of the winner. It is a reminder to Nigeria’s political class that the electorate cannot be permanently intimidated, threatened, manipulated or taken for granted.
Political power may provide access to enormous resources and influence, but it does not confer ownership of the people’s mandate.
The Osun election has reinforced a fundamental principle of democratic governance: votes belong to the voters, and political mandates belong to the people.
No politician, political party, government official or institution should ever believe that intimidation, threats, inducements, propaganda or the deployment of political influence can permanently suppress the aspirations of citizens.
Where citizens are determined to exercise their franchise, the ballot can become a powerful instrument for expressing approval, rejection and the demand for better governance.
STAND therefore calls on Nigerians to take the lesson of Osun into the 2027 General Elections.
We urge Nigerians not to surrender their democratic rights to fear, intimidation, political patronage or cynical attempts to convince them that their votes do not matter.
Every Nigerian voter must approach 2027 with courage, vigilance and determination.
The message should be clear: Come 2027, Nigerians must vote according to their conscience, defend their votes peacefully and insist that their votes count.
We equally call on the Independent National Electoral Commission, security agencies, political parties, civil society organisations and all other stakeholders to continue strengthening the electoral process so that every Nigerian can participate freely, safely and confidently.
While congratulating Governor Adeleke on his victory, STAND urges him to regard his re-election not merely as a political triumph, but as a renewed contract with the people of Osun State.
The victory should be an incentive to work harder, govern better and deliver more tangible dividends of democracy to the people. The people of Osun have given the Governor another opportunity to lead. That opportunity must now be translated into accelerated development, stronger institutions, improved infrastructure, better healthcare and education, expanded economic opportunities, greater support for agriculture and small businesses, and a more prosperous future for the people of the state.
We urge Governor Adeleke to dedicate this victory to service rather than celebration; development rather than political vindication; and unity rather than division. His second term should be defined by an even stronger commitment to good governance, accountability, inclusiveness and measurable development across all parts of Osun State, including communities that may not have voted for him.
STAND also commends all the candidates who participated in the election and urges those who contested but did not prevail to accept the outcome in the spirit of democratic competition, while retaining their constitutional right to seek legal redress where they believe legitimate grounds exist.
Democracy is strengthened not only when people win elections, but also when political actors demonstrate maturity in accepting outcomes and pursuing disagreements through lawful and peaceful means.
We therefore congratulate Governor Ademola Adeleke and, more importantly, congratulate the people of Osun State for participating in the democratic process.
The people are not powerless. The ballot is not meaningless. And no amount of intimidation, threat or political pressure should ever make Nigerians surrender their democratic right to choose their leaders.
As Nigeria prepares for 2027, STAND calls on citizens across the country to rise to the occasion, register and collect their Permanent Voter Cards, participate actively in the electoral process, reject violence and intimidation, and defend democracy through peaceful and lawful means.
The future of Nigeria belongs to its people. Their votes must count. Their voices must be heard. And their mandate must be respected.
