The Kwara State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has congratulated the Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke, the Adeleke family and the resilient people of Osun State on the outcome of the just-concluded 2026 governorship election.

The party, in a statement by its State Publicity Secretary, Olusegun Olusola Adewara, said it especially commended Osun people for coming out en masse to vote despite the intimidation, threats and violence that preceded the election, saying this demonstrated courage and commitment to democracy.

“The Osun political atmosphere was heavily charged, with the state witnessing an extraordinary display of federal governmental power, an overwhelming security presence, threats, political intimidation and violence before the election. Yet, despite these pressures, the people of Osun refused to surrender their democratic choices as they came out en masse to vote for the candidate of their choice, demonstrating remarkable courage and commitment to democracy,” the party noted.

The PDP, however, berated Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for openly declaring that the support of the Federal Government, coupled with the presence of APC governors and party machinery, would deliver victory for the APC candidate rather than the will of the people of Osun.

It described the governor’s remark as unfortunate, noting that it further reinforced what it called his hollow perception of democracy and leadership. According to the party, democracy is ultimately about the people exercising their constitutional right to freely choose their leaders, not about the deployment of governmental power, political machinery or intimidation to predetermine electoral outcomes

“Our party is appalled by the anti-democratic remarks made by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq during the APC campaign rally in Osogbo, where he appeared to place greater confidence in federal might, presidential backing and the massive political machinery mobilised by the APC than in the free will of the Osun electorate.

“AbdulRazaq’s position represented a fundamental misunderstanding of how democracy works. However, we believe the outcome of the election has now provided a fitting democratic response to the governor’s misplaced and arrogant confidence.

“The people of Osun have, by this historic decision, demonstrated to Abdulrazaq that the people remain the ultimate owners of political power, not federal might, voters’ inducement or manipulation, which he appears to have programmed into his calculations for the 2027 elections in Kwara State.

“The Osun election has also delivered an important lesson to Governor Abdulrazaq and his outgoing APC government in Kwara, particularly those who mistake incumbency for ownership of the electorate and traditional institutions.

“We put it to him that occupying the office of governor does not mean Kwarans have surrendered their conscience or their right to make independent political choices. The misuse of traditional rulers for political advantage does not guarantee that the people will vote according to the wishes of those in power. Kwarans remain the ultimate custodians of their political power and the final arbiters of who they entrust with leadership.

“For the Kwara PDP, the significance of the Osun election goes beyond the victory of one candidate or one political platform. It is a victory for the principle that the ballot belongs to the voters. The people of Osun have demonstrated that courage at the ballot box can overcome political intimidation and that the collective will of the people remains stronger than the machinery of government.

“We urge the people of Kwara to draw inspiration from the Osun example by remaining courageous, vigilant and committed to protecting their democratic rights as we approach the 2027 elections. The power to determine who governs ultimately belongs to the people, and no political authority, regardless of its influence, resources or institutional power, should ever make citizens believe otherwise.”

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