The outcome of the Osun governorship election has shown that voters still have a strong say in determining political leadership, former APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Timi Frank, has said.
Frank, in a statement released in Abuja on Monday, said Adeleke’s victory demonstrated that determined voters could resist political pressure and intimidation to make their preferred choice at the ballot.
The Independent National Electoral Commission declared Adeleke, who contested on the Accord Party platform, winner with 511,067 votes. APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji followed with 444,815 votes, leaving a margin of 66,252 votes.
Frank said the result should serve as a warning to political parties ahead of the 2027 elections, stressing that no candidate should assume victory before voters have spoken.
“Nigerian people who will decide his fate through the power of their votes,” he said.
He also appealed to opposition parties to put their differences aside and work together if they hope to mount a serious challenge to the ruling APC in 2027.
According to him, the Osun election has shown that voters can influence political outcomes when they remain engaged and political parties build effective structures.
Frank further urged Nigerians to remain involved after voting by ensuring their ballots are properly counted and protected.
“Let 2027 not be business as usual. They must vote, stay, and see their votes counted, just as they have done in Osun,” Frank added.
He praised Osun voters for resisting inducements while still voting according to their preferred candidate.
“I commend the people of Osun for this new political ingenuity, where money is taken, yet still voted for the candidate of their choice. After all, the money belongs to us as citizens, as it was taken from government coffers,” he said.
Frank called for peaceful participation in future elections and encouraged Nigerians to defend their votes through legal and democratic means.
He also praised Davido for showing interest in electoral matters, urging Nigerian youths and celebrities to become more involved in the country’s political process.
“Going into 2027, I call on Nigerian youths and celebrities alike to borrow a leaf from Davido, as this is not the time to sit on the fence. Nigeria belongs to all of us,” he said.
He congratulated Adeleke and the people of Osun State, describing the election as another reminder that citizens remain central to the democratic process.