Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olabode George, has urged President Bola Tinubu to uphold democratic principles and ensure that every qualified Nigerian is allowed to contest elections freely ahead of the 2027 general elections.
George made the appeal while reacting to Governor Ademola Adeleke’s victory in Saturday’s Osun State governorship election.
He particularly described the outcome as a significant affirmation of the power of the electorate and the importance of allowing the will of the people to prevail.
The PDP chieftain, who congratulated Adeleke on his re-election, also commended the peaceful conduct of the poll, saying the outcome offered an important lesson for Nigeria’s democracy ahead of the 2027 elections.
According to him, Nigerians must retain the freedom to choose their leaders through credible elections, while political actors and institutions must demonstrate restraint, fairness and respect for the electorate.
“My appeal to President Bola Tinubu, as we look towards 2027, is to continue to uphold the democratic principle that every qualified Nigerian who wishes to contest should be allowed to do so in accordance with the law,” George said.
“Nigerians, through their votes, should be allowed to decide who they want to lead them.”
The former PDP national officer said the Osun election demonstrated that political influence, resources and access to powerful political figures could not automatically translate into ownership of the people’s mandate.
“What happened in Osun is a practical demonstration of the saying that power ultimately belongs to the people,” he said.
“Despite the presence and political strength of many leading members of the APC, including governors, senators and other senior political figures, the electorate made its choice.
“Political power may provide access to connections, resources and influence, but it does not confer ownership of the people’s mandate. Nigerians are increasingly politically conscious and determined to exercise their democratic rights.”
George also urged Tinubu to scrutinise the conduct of members of his administration, stressing that public officials must act in ways capable of strengthening public confidence in government.
“The President should also continue to assess the conduct of those serving in his administration. Public officials must understand that their words and actions can either strengthen public confidence in government or diminish it.
“Those who serve must do so with humility and respect for Nigerians,” he said.
On the outcome of the election, George described Adeleke’s victory as evidence that the electorate ultimately determines whether an incumbent deserves another term in office.
He said, “I therefore want to commend the people of Osun for demonstrating that the ultimate civil, political and democratic authority belongs to the people and is exercised through the ballot.
“In exercising political power, those entrusted with public office must always remember that their mandate comes from the people. An incumbent may have the advantages of office, but ultimately, it is the electorate that determines whether that mandate should be renewed.
“If you work in the interest of the people, they have the opportunity to reward you with their votes. Where they believe otherwise, they are equally entitled to make a different choice. That is the beauty of democracy.”
George said Adeleke had worked for the people and received their verdict at the polls, adding that the peaceful acceptance of the result was an encouraging development for the state.
“Governor Adeleke worked, and the people have expressed their judgment through the ballot. Today, we can see that there is peace across the state because the electoral process has been allowed to run its course,” he said.
He further called on Nigerians to defend their democratic rights ahead of 2027, stressing that the credibility of future elections would depend largely on citizens’ confidence that their votes would count.
“As we approach 2027, Nigerians must be allowed to exercise their democratic rights without intimidation, undue interference or manipulation. Our democracy will be strengthened when every citizen has confidence that his or her vote will count,” George said.
The PDP chieftain also commended the widespread acceptance of the result announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), urging the electoral body to continue to discharge its responsibilities fairly, transparently and objectively.
George congratulated Adeleke and urged him to regard the victory as a renewed mandate to deliver more dividends of democracy to the people of Osun State.
“I congratulate Governor Adeleke and urge him to see this victory as a renewed contract with the people of Osun State. From now until 2030, he must work even harder, justify the confidence reposed in him and deliver greater dividends of democracy to the people,” he said.
INEC declared Adeleke the winner of the election after he secured 511,067 votes.
His closest challenger, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, polled 444,815 votes, while the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Najeem Folasayo Salaam, finished third with 17,180 votes.
