The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has said the outcome of the Osun State governorship election has broken the perception that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is politically unbeatable.
The SDP National Chairman, Professor Sadiq Gombe, said the election showed that determined voters could defeat incumbency, political structures and financial inducements.
Speaking at a press briefing, Gombe said the result should serve as a warning to the ruling APC ahead of the 2027 general election.
He said the election also offered important lessons to opposition parties, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and voters.
According to him, the size or strength of a political party matters less when voters have already made up their minds about 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, the factional leader of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nafiu Bala Gombe, congratulated Governor Ademola Adeleke on his re-election.
Nafiu said Adeleke’s victory strengthened democratic values, 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 praised INEC for what he described as its diligence and commitment to conducting a free, fair and credible election.
Another ADC chieftain, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, said the result showed the power of voters to influence 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 highlighted the importance of voter participation and protecting electoral mandates.
Eze added that the Osun election should serve as a lesson for Nigerians as the country prepares for the 2027 general election.
