…Urges lessons for 2027

The National Chairman of the Accord Party, Chief Maxwell Mgbudem, has described the outcome of the 2026 Osun State governorship election as a significant test of Nigeria’s democracy, saying the electorate demonstrated that the ballot remains more powerful than political intimidation and “federal might.”

Mgbudem, who spoke at a press conference in Osogbo on Monday, said the re-election of Governor Ademola Adeleke showed that Nigerians could still defend their democratic choices despite what he described as pressure, intimidation and attempts to undermine the Accord Party and the state government.

He said the election had broader implications for the country ahead of the 2027 general elections, arguing that the ability of voters to freely choose their leaders was essential to restoring public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process.

According to him, the people of Osun “have spoken loud and clear with their votes,” renewing Adeleke’s mandate because they wanted continuity, inclusive governance and further development of the state.

Mgbudem alleged that the period preceding the election was characterised by harassment, arrests, detention, destruction of property, killings and the deployment of federal security and law-enforcement agencies against the party and its supporters.

He specifically accused the Police and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of being used to suppress the party and weaken the state government, while also alleging that the withholding of local government allocations was part of an attempt to destabilise the state.

“The objective is to destabilise the government of His Excellency Governor Ademola Adeleke and make Osun State ungovernable to pave the way for a declaration of a state of emergency,” he alleged.

The Accord chairman said the electorate nevertheless refused to be deterred, turning out to vote for Adeleke despite what he described as a heavily militarised election environment and political violence.

Mgbudem attributed the victory partly to what he described as the visible achievements of the Adeleke administration, saying residents identified with the governor’s development efforts and supported his call for a better and more prosperous Osun State.

He said the election demonstrated the importance of citizens’ participation in protecting democracy, stressing that Accord prepared for an election rather than a war because it believed that “the ballot is stronger than the bullet.”

The party chairman also struck a conciliatory tone after the election, declaring that there was “no victor, no vanquished” and urging all political parties and their supporters to work with the Adeleke administration for the development of Osun State.

He commended candidates who stepped down in favour of Adeleke, describing the political alliances as evidence that cooperation among political actors could strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.

Mgbudem further called for the immediate release of Accord leaders, candidates, members and supporters allegedly arrested and detained in Osun, Abuja and Nasarawa, arguing that their continued detention after the election was unnecessary and contrary to their fundamental rights.

He urged the Inspector-General of Police to intervene and ensure that those detained were released in the interest of justice and equity.

The Accord national chairman commended Nigerians, civil society organisations, local and international election observers, the international community, the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies for their roles in the conduct of the election.

He said the lessons from the Osun election should be applied to the 2027 general elections, which he said must be more transparent, credible and capable of strengthening citizens’ confidence in Nigeria’s democratic institutions.

“Once more, I congratulate Nigerians for the success of this historic Osun governorship election. We look forward to an improved 2027 general election,” Mgbudem said.