Osun Election: People's Will Prevails Amidst Alleged Rigging Attempts

Nigerians are an excitable people, and the outcome of the Osun governorship election has certainly generated significant buzz. The election is being celebrated because, for the first time in a long while, the people's will prevailed. This victory came despite attempts by the powers-that-be to replicate the alleged manipulation seen in the Edo State governorship election of September 21, 2024.

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Nigerians are an excitable lot. It is, therefore, not surprising that the outcome of the August 15 off-cycle Osun governorship election is generating so much buzz.

In Osun, the people's resolve, described as being akin to Queen Esther's "If I perish, I perish," prevented "political vampires" from trampling on their mandate. Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security operatives reportedly conducted themselves professionally. Political thugs, sensing potential repercussions, also seemed to tread carefully. By early Sunday morning, the election was decided.

President Bola Tinubu, leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), called to congratulate Governor Ademola Adeleke. APC chieftains, who had allegedly invaded the state for "manipulation of election results," reportedly left in "deep shame, humiliation and utter defeat." This contrasts sharply with the "deafening silence" that followed the alleged dubious result in Edo two years prior.

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To be sure, the outcome calls for celebration because for the first time in a long while, the will of the people prevailed in an election.

Osun erupted in celebrations when INEC returning officer, Prof. Joshua Ogunwole, declared Adeleke, the Accord Party candidate, the winner with 511,067 votes and victories in 19 of the state's 30 local governments. The APC candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, received 444,815 votes and won 11 councils. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Najeem Salaam, garnered 17,180 votes. A total of 1,010,684 voters were accredited, with 985,079 valid votes cast.

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And it prevailed not because attempts were not made by the powers-that-be to replicate the September 21, 2024, Edo State governorship election heist.

Despite the excitement, the author expresses reservations, stating that the Osun election "demonstrated, once again, how jaded Nigeria’s ‘democracy’ is." The article notes that on the eve of the election, numerous APC governors, federal lawmakers, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and other high-ranking leaders were present with their entourages and security details, hinting at potential interference.

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Osun erupted in celebrations when the INEC returning officer, Prof. Joshua Ogunwole, announced the final result early Sunday morning, declaring Adeleke, the Accord Party candidate, winner with 511,067 votes and victory in 19 of the State’s 30 local governments.