Adeleke's Win Shows People's Strength, Says Okonkwo

A former spokesperson for the Labour Party during the presidential campaign, Kenneth Okonkwo, has congratulated Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on his recent re-election. He called the result a win for the people of Osun State.

Okonkwo made the statement on Sunday after the August 15 Osun governorship election. He stated that Adeleke’s victory proved 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.

But Okonkwo also warned opposition parties and their leaders not to relax ahead of the 2027 general elections. He said the result of the Osun election should be a wake-up call for politicians in the opposition to get ready for what he called a tough electoral battle.

“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 remembered the 2022 Osun governorship election that brought Adeleke to power. He compared how that election was run to 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 campaign spokesman warned that opposition parties should not think that the result of Saturday’s election means future polls will go in their favor. He said they must stay alert and prepare for 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 also suggested that President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress would do everything to keep 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 called on Nigerians to make sure the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies are accountable before 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.