Adeleke's Osun Victory Shows Good Governance Trumps Name-Dropping, Says Analyst

The recent outcome of the Osun State governorship election underscores the critical importance of good governance and grassroots acceptance in electoral success, according to political analyst Bamidele Atoyebi. Atoyebi, who also convenes the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Ideological Group, stated that relying solely on the name of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is insufficient to secure victory.

Atoyebi congratulated Governor Ademola Adeleke on his win, characterizing the result as a significant lesson for the All Progressives Congress (APC), particularly its leadership in Osun State. He observed that Osun voters have a history of consistently supporting incumbent governors and their parties when they perceive the government to be performing effectively. This pattern, he noted, has been evident in previous electoral cycles.

"You cannot name-drop the President to victory; better go and give your people good governance," Atoyebi advised, emphasizing that voters are primarily concerned with tangible results and the performance of their elected officials. He recalled the intense political rivalry between Adeleke and former Governor Gboyega Oyetola, who faced each other in both the 2018 and 2022 gubernatorial elections, with Adeleke ultimately prevailing in 2022.

Furthermore, Atoyebi pointed out that Adeleke had previously secured Osun State for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the presidential and National Assembly elections. This occurred even though President Tinubu hails from the Yoruba ethnic group in the South-West, the same region as Osun State. Atoyebi concluded that the voting patterns clearly demonstrate that Osun voters prioritize their immediate political interests and the performance of their governor above ethnic solidarity or presidential affiliations.

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You cannot name-drop the President to victory; better go and give your people good governance.