Adeleke's win disproves one-party state claim, says ex-Lagos APC spokesman

Governor Ademola Adeleke's re-election in Osun State has been hailed as a victory for democracy, according to former Lagos APC spokesman Seye Oladejo. Oladejo stated that Adeleke's win decisively countered the growing narrative that Nigeria is inevitably moving towards a one-party system.

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Democracy is not measured by how often the ruling party wins elections. It is measured by whether the people retain the freedom to choose who governs them-and whether that choice is respected.

"Democracy is not measured by how often the ruling party wins elections. It is measured by whether the people retain the freedom to choose who governs them and whether that choice is respected," Oladejo said in a statement. He characterized Adeleke's success as more than just a win for an individual or party, but a significant statement on the resilience of Nigeria's democracy and a powerful rebuttal to the "fashionable narrative" of a one-party drift.

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The re-election of Governor Ademola Adeleke in Osun State is therefore much bigger than the victory of one candidate, one political party or one state. It is a significant statement about the resilience of Nigeria’s democracy and, importantly, a powerful rebuttal to the increasingly fashionable narrative that Nigeria is drifting towards a one-party state.

Oladejo pointed to the Osun election as a "useful reality check" against concerns about the future of opposition politics, fueled by politicians crossing party lines. He argued that if Nigeria were truly heading towards a one-party state, an incumbent governor winning outside the ruling party would not be possible. "Yet, the electorate had the final word. This is the beauty of democracy," he added.

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If Nigeria were indeed inexorably marching towards a one-party state, an incumbent governor contesting under a platform outside the ruling party and securing re-election would hardly be the most compelling evidence of a vibrant opposition space. Yet, the electorate had the final word. This is the beauty of democracy.

Emphasizing that no political party holds a "permanent certificate of victory," Oladejo cautioned against complacency. He noted that political fortunes, circumstances, candidates, and alliances all change, with voters ultimately holding the power. He urged all political parties to approach every election as a new contest requiring renewed efforts to secure voter support.

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There is nothing in democracy called the ‘invincibility of the ruling party.’ Absolutely nothing. No ruling party, regardless of its structure, influence, resources, incumbency or political pedigree, possesses a permanent certificate of victory.