Hon. Musa Olumayowa Yakubu (MOY), the African Democratic Congress (ADC) flagbearer for the Ijumu Constituency II, has described the outcome of the recent Osun State governorship election as a critical wake-up call for Nigeria’s political class.
Reflecting on the election results, Yakubu asserted that modern Nigerian voters are shifting their focus toward political antecedents, personal credibility, and genuine public service—overturning traditional reliance on incumbency, intimidation, and money politics.
Yakubu’s remarks follow the official declaration of Governor Ademola Adeleke’s re-election, where the incumbent candidate secured 511,067 votes to defeat his primary challenger, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who scored 444,815 votes. The ADC standard-bearer, Najeem Salaam, finished third with 17,180 votes. Adeleke secured victories across 19 of Osun State’s 30 Local Government Areas.
A Shift in Voter Sophistication
According to the ADC candidate, the results from Osun demonstrate that occupying a powerful position does not guarantee success at the ballot box.
“The Osun election has reinforced an important message: political antecedents now count. Incumbency alone is no longer enough. Money politics, intimidation and political structures cannot permanently substitute for credibility and a convincing record of service,” Yakubu stated.
He noted that the electorate is becoming increasingly discerning, keeping detailed track of elected officials’ performance and responsiveness once campaigns conclude.
“The people are becoming more sophisticated. They remember those who stood with them, those who served them and those who abandoned them after elections,” he added. “Before seeking another mandate, politicians must ask themselves a simple question: What have I done for the people, and what do they remember me for?”
Strategic Lessons for the 2027 General Elections
Looking ahead, Yakubu framed the Osun election outcome as a critical precursor to the upcoming 2027 general elections. He urged politicians and political parties across the country to re-evaluate their strategies, advocating for a shift away from financial deployment and toward candidate track records, character, and public commitment.
Breaking down the core lessons of the election, Yakubu noted that “Incumbency gives you visibility; it does not give you the people’s trust.
“Money can facilitate mobilisation; it cannot permanently purchase loyalty.
“Intimidation may create temporary fear; it cannot erase the people’s memories.
“But a credible political antecedent, genuine service and a good relationship with the people can create a bond that survives elections.”
Yakubu concluded by urging political parties to prioritize the quality and integrity of their nominees over political structure alone.
“Osun is a lesson for 2027. Politicians should not wait until election year before remembering the people,” Yakubu warned. “Going forward, your antecedents will speak louder than your money, your record will speak louder than your intimidation, and your relationship with the people will matter more than the office you currently occupy. That is the direction in which Nigerian democracy must go.”
