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From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
The Action Peoples Party (APP) has described the just concluded Osun State governorship election as a major boost to Nigeria’s democratic development, declaring that the exercise has demonstrated that credible elections are possible when electoral institutions are allowed to operate independently.
The APP National Chairman, Uchenna Nnadi,
who spoke at a press briefing, in Abuja, stated that the election has set a new benchmark for the 2027 general election.
Nnadi commended commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), its Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, President Bola Tinubu, security agencies and, and the people of Osun State their respective contributions to the successful conduct of the poll.
However,the APP chairman noted that major challenge before the electoral umpire going forward was to ensure that the credibility associated with the Osun poll became a permanent feature of Nigeria’s electoral system.
Nnadi, while congratulating Governor Ademola Adeleke, on his victory, urged him to see his re-election as the beginning of greater service to the people of Osun.
He stated that the significance of the election went beyond the victory or defeat of individual political parties and candidates, noting that the Osun poll strengthened public confidence in the electoral process.
According to him, “we therefore approach this election not merely from the narrow perspective of partisan victory or defeat, but from the broader and more important perspective of what the election represents for Nigerian democracy.
“While no election is perfect, and there will always be areas requiring improvement, the overall conduct of the Osun election provides encouraging evidence that Nigeria’s electoral process can continue to evolve towards greater credibility, transparency and acceptance.
“For this, we believe that the institutions and individuals who contributed to this outcome deserve recognition. This election is a victory for democracy.”
Nnadi added that “the Osun experience provides an opportunity for the President and the Federal Government to establish a clear democratic precedent: that electoral power belongs ultimately to the Nigerian people, and that government must respect the sanctity of their votes.
“If the Federal Government can provide this kind of environment in Osun, then there is no reason why the 2027 general elections cannot be conducted to an even higher democratic standard.”
