The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has said the outcome of the Osun State governorship election has shattered the perception of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as politically invincible.
The party said the poll showed that determined voters could overcome incumbency, political structures and financial inducements.
SDP National Chairman, Professor Sadiq Gombe, made the statement at a press briefing, where he said the Osun result had sent a warning to the ruling party ahead of the 2027 general election.
Gombe said the election also offered lessons for opposition parties, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and voters.
He said the most important lesson was that the distinction between big and small political parties mattered less when voters had decided on their preferred candidate.
“The people of Osun have taught Nigerians a great lesson,” Gombe said.
He added that electoral victory ultimately depended on voters’ confidence rather than the size, structure or financial strength of a political party.
“It is a warning signal to the ruling party to know that they are not sacrosanct. They will be defeated,” he declared.
Meanwhile, factional leader of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nafiu Bala Gombe, congratulated Governor Ademola Adeleke on his re-election.
Gombe said Adeleke’s victory reinforced democratic values, deepened constitutional governance and reflected the will of Osun voters.
“The authentic and legitimate leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), under the tutelage of Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe, heartily congratulates His Excellency, Governor Nuruddeen Ademola Adeleke, on his well-deserved re-election as Governor of Osun State,” he said.
He also commended INEC for what he described as its diligence and commitment to delivering a free, fair and credible election.
Another ADC chieftain, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, described the result as a demonstration of the electorate’s power to shape political outcomes through the ballot.
Eze, a former National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP), congratulated Adeleke and the people of Osun.
He said the election reinforced the importance of voter participation and protection of electoral mandates.
Eze added that the Osun experience should provide lessons for Nigerians ahead of the 2027 general election.
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