Professor of Political Economy, Pat Utomi, has reacted to the recently concluded Osun State governorship election.

In a statement posted on his verified X handle on Sunday, Utomi said the Osun election is a testament that voters can beat rigging.

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The outcome of the Osun State governorship election has been described as more than a victory for Governor Ademola Adeleke and the Accord Party, with the result also presenting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu with an important test of his administration’s commitment to democratic competition.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Adeleke the winner after he polled 511,067 votes, defeating his closest challenger, APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji.

For supporters of President Tinubu’s democratic credentials, the outcome carries significance beyond the immediate political fortunes of the APC.

The argument is straightforward: a president does not strengthen democracy by ensuring that his party wins every election. Rather, democratic confidence is strengthened when voters are allowed to make a different choice and that choice is respected.

That is why the Osun result could become an important reference point as Nigeria begins to look increasingly towards the 2027 general elections.

President Tinubu has repeatedly spoken about the importance of credible elections and the power of the ballot. Against that background, an opposition victory in Osun provides an opportunity to assess those principles beyond political speeches.

The result also offers a counterpoint to the long-standing perception that the party controlling the Federal Government must necessarily dominate elections across the states.

In Osun, voters have produced a different outcome.

Adeleke, seeking another term, secured the mandate after a closely watched contest in which the APC sought to reclaim the state. INEC’s final declaration has now put the people’s verdict on record.

The political significance could extend beyond Osun.

With political parties already positioning themselves for 2027, the election may fuel a broader conversation about the independence of the electoral process, the ability of opposition parties to compete and the extent to which voters can determine outcomes regardless of which party controls Abuja.

For Tinubu, therefore, the Osun election can be viewed from two perspectives.

Politically, his party has lost an important governorship contest.

Democratically, however, supporters of his administration can argue that allowing the electorate’s decision to stand is itself a victory for constitutional democracy.

The bigger question is whether this standard will continue to define future elections across Nigeria.

For now, the people of Osun have spoken, and INEC has announced their choice.

Adeleke gets another term.

The APC gets another lesson.

And Nigerian democracy gets another test passed—provided the people’s verdict continues to be respected.

Congratulations to the winner. Tough luck to the losers.