PDP Claims Osun Victory as Warning Shot to APC Ahead of 2027 Elections

In a bold statement following Governor Ademola Adeleke’s recent triumph in the Osun State governorship election, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) declared the win an ‘advance payment’ by the Nigerian electorate against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The party asserted that the real reckoning would occur in the 2027 general elections.

The PDP emphasized that the Osun result serves as a crucial reminder that citizens can resist political pressures and protect their votes.

 However, the party warned that as the 2027 elections draw closer, safeguarding the electoral process will become increasingly vital.

The party's assertions stem from two statements issued by its Interim National Working Committee, signed by Comrade Ini Ememobong and National Publicity Secretary, Hon. 

Jungudo Haruna Mohammed. While Ememobong elaborated on the broader political ramifications and alleged interference, Jungudo extended congratulations to Adeleke, urging unity over partisan politics.

“Overall, the result from Osun is an advance payment by Nigerians against the APC; the balance will come in 2027,” Ememobong remarked. 

He accused the APC of deploying its entire political machinery to secure victory, citing incidents of intimidation, assaults, and arrests of opposition figures.

Ememobong pointed to a controversial incident involving Senator Francis Fadahunsi, who faced police scrutiny, suggesting it exemplified the pressure on opposition during the election.

 “The ruling party, which is ruining the country, mobilized their entire rigging machinery to Osun,” he stated.

Despite these challenges, Ememobong praised the resilience of Osun voters, who he claimed thwarted alleged manipulations to ensure the integrity of the ballot. 

However, he criticized the role of security agencies, particularly the police, and condemned the freezing of state government accounts by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as well as delays in result uploads by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

He urged Nigerians not to become complacent, insisting that the APC's failure in Osun does not signal an end to attempts to undermine democracy. “Nigerians must vote, protect, and defend their votes,” Ememobong emphasized.

He argued that electoral outcomes should reflect the genuine will of the electorate, free from the influence of political power or state institutions. 

“Election results must be reflective of the wishes of the people, not the whims of a privileged minority,” he said.

In contrast, Jungudo congratulated Adeleke on his victory, acknowledging the trust placed in him by the people of Osun. While Adeleke ran under the Accord Party banner, Jungudo affirmed the PDP's pride in its role in the state’s democratic evolution.

He expressed hopes that Adeleke’s victory would pave the way for progress, unity, and prosperity for Osun State. “May this victory mark the beginning of an even greater chapter for the people of Osun,” Mohammed concluded.