Osun election shows candidate, not party, determines victory: NRM

The National Rescue Movement (NRM) has observed that Governor Ademola Adeleke's re-election in the Osun governorship race underscores the growing significance of individual candidate appeal over party loyalty. The NRM noted that Adeleke's victory demonstrates that voters increasingly prioritize a candidate's credibility, competence, and connection with the populace when making their choices.

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The result offered a simple lesson: when voters get the chance to choose, they look beyond the party logo to the person asking for their mandate and what he represents.

In a statement, the NRM congratulated Adeleke, characterizing his win as a powerful affirmation of the trust placed in him by the electorate. The party emphasized that this outcome reinforces a fundamental democratic principle: the ultimate sovereignty of the people and the imperative to respect their will. The NRM highlighted that Osun voters exercised their constitutional right to select their leader, overcoming various challenges.

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The result is also a powerful testimony to the enduring principle that, in a democracy, the people are sovereign and their will must ultimately prevail. The electorate of Osun State have exercised their constitutional right to choose their leader, despite all odds.

The NRM called on Governor Adeleke to view his re-election as a renewed mandate to enhance infrastructure, create jobs, improve education and healthcare, bolster security, and foster economic opportunities across Osun State. They reiterated that while a political party serves as a vehicle, it is the candidate's track record, character, and ability to inspire confidence that truly determine success in credible elections. The party also urged Adeleke to govern inclusively, serving all residents, and called for respect for democratic outcomes and peaceful engagement among political actors.

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A political party provides the vehicle, but it is the candidate’s record, character, competence, connection with the people and ability to inspire confidence that can determine electoral success in a genuinely competitive and credible election.