A former Labour Party presidential campaign spokesperson, chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, Kenneth Okonkwo. Credit: X | Kenneth Okonkwo

A former Labour Party presidential campaign spokesperson, chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, Kenneth Okonkwo. Credit: X | Kenneth Okonkwo

A former Labour Party presidential campaign spokesperson, chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, Kenneth Okonkwo, has congratulated Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on his re-election, describing the outcome as a victory for the people of the state.

Okonkwo, in a statement on Sunday following the August 15 Osun governorship election, said Adeleke’s victory demonstrated that “the power of the people will always be greater than the people in power.”

“Congratulations to HE Gov Ademola Adeleke on his victory as the re-elected governor of Osun State. This is a testimony that the power of the people will always be greater than the people in power. The victory is a victory for Osun people,” he said.

However, Okonkwo warned opposition parties and leaders against becoming complacent ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He argued that the outcome of the Osun election should serve as a wake-up call for opposition politicians to prepare for what he described as a fierce electoral contest.

“Whenever the opposition wins Osun State, it triggers a panic mode in APC and makes them prepare to win the general elections by all means,” Okonkwo said.

He recalled the 2022 Osun governorship election, which produced Adeleke as governor, and contrasted the conduct of the poll with the 2023 general election.

“Prof Mahmood’s INEC organised good guber election in Osun in 2022 that brought Adeleke 1.0 to power, only to bungle the general election in 2023 with a technical glitch,” he stated.

The former presidential campaign spokesman cautioned opposition parties against assuming that the outcome of Saturday’s election was a guarantee that future polls would be conducted to their satisfaction.

According to him, opposition parties must remain vigilant and intensify preparations ahead of the 2027 elections.

“The victory of the opposition in Osun is applaudable but it should ring an alarm bell in the ears of all opposition parties and opposition leaders to prepare against the fierce electoral battle in 2027,” he said.

Okonkwo further alleged that President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress would make every effort to retain power in 2027.

“President Tinubu, who believes that all is fair in politics, will certainly attempt to grab the presidential election, snatch it, and run away with it,” he added.

He urged Nigerians to hold the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies accountable ahead of the next general elections.

“The opposition parties should not let down their guard and think that INEC will do the right thing owing to the outcome of the 15 August 2026 Osun gubernatorial election.

“The Nigerian people must hold INEC and security agencies’ feet to the fire until a free, fair, and credible election is organised in 2027,” Okonkwo said.