Adeleke’s win disproves one-party state claim, says ex-Lagos APC spokesman

A former spokesman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Mr Seye Oladejo, has described Governor Ademola Adeleke’s re-election in Osun State as a triumph for democracy and a strong rebuttal to claims that Nigeria is drifting towards a one-party state.

Oladejo stated this in a statement on Monday, saying Adeleke’s victory demonstrated the resilience and competitiveness of Nigeria’s democratic space.

He said the movement of politicians across party lines and the growing number of defections to the ruling APC had raised concerns about the future of opposition politics.

However, he said the outcome of the Osun governorship election had provided a “useful reality check” to such concerns.

According to him, the re-election of an incumbent governor contesting on a platform outside the ruling party showed that the electorate retained the power to determine electoral outcomes.

“Democracy is not measured by how often the ruling party wins elections. It is measured by whether the people retain the freedom to choose who governs them-and whether that choice is respected,” Oladejo said.

He said the victory was bigger than the success of an individual candidate, political party or state, describing it as a significant statement about the resilience of Nigeria’s democracy.

Oladejo said the result also punctured the perception that the APC’s growing political strength automatically translated into control of every electoral space.

He stressed that no political party possessed a permanent guarantee of electoral victory, noting that political fortunes, circumstances, candidates and alliances could change.

“There is nothing in democracy called the ‘invincibility of the ruling party.’ Absolutely nothing. No ruling party, regardless of its structure, influence, resources, incumbency or political pedigree, possesses a permanent certificate of victory,” he said.

The former APC spokesman urged political parties, including the APC, to avoid complacency and approach every election as a fresh contest requiring renewed efforts to earn voters’ support.

He also commended President Bola Tinubu for reportedly accepting Adeleke’s victory and congratulating him, describing the gesture as an indication of democratic maturity.

Oladejo said Adeleke’s renewed mandate also came with the responsibility to deliver improved governance and development to the people of Osun.

He urged the governor to focus on infrastructure, education, healthcare, security, job creation and economic opportunities during his second term.

“An electoral victory is not the destination. It is permission to govern,” he said.

Oladejo said the Osun election could prove instructive ahead of the 2027 general elections by demonstrating that Nigeria’s political space remained open and competitive.

He urged politicians not to take voters for granted, stressing that every mandate must be earned.

“The deeper lesson is that the ballot remains bigger than the party, the voter remains bigger than the politician, and democracy remains bigger than whoever happens to be in power,” he said.

Oladejo added that Adeleke’s victory was not merely an Osun story but a national reminder that Nigeria’s democracy remained capable of producing unexpected electoral outcomes.