2027: Adeleke’s governorship victory signals Tinubu’s imminent defeat — Jada
• Says govs, ministers, senators, not sealers of electoral fate
By Mohammed Ismail
National Coordinator of the One Nigeria Movement for Obi-Kwankwaso 2027, Hon. Umar Bello Jada, popularly known as “Calculate,” has described the victory of Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, in the just concluded governorship election as a major political statement by the Nigerian electorate ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Jada, a prominent chieftain of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), said the outcome demonstrated that political power ultimately resides with the electorate and not governors, ministers or other political office holders.
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According to him, the Osun election has exposed the limits of “federal might” and the influence of political heavyweights when confronted with a determined electorate.
He argued that the ability of Adeleke to retain the confidence of voters despite the mobilisation of prominent political figures and extensive political machinery by the All Progressives Congress (APC) was a clear indication that Nigerians were increasingly prepared to make independent electoral choices.
“The Osun election has shown that governors, ministers and political office holders do not determine electoral fate. It is the people who vote, and it is their votes that ultimately decide who wins,” Jada said.
He described Adeleke’s victory as “a victory for the masses” and a warning signal to the APC ahead of the 2027 elections.
Jada said the result was particularly significant because Osun was a the home state of president Bola Ahmed Tinubu and one where the APC had deployed considerable political resources in its bid to secure victory.
He alleged that the APC mobilised serving and former governors, ministers, members of the National Assembly, local government chairmen, political appointees and other influential figures for the election, alongside substantial campaign logistics and huge war chest.
Despite the mobilisation, he said, the electorate remained resolute and voted according to its convictions.
Jada also claimed that the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) equally deployed several of its prominent political figures to the state in support of its candidate, but that the election ultimately demonstrated the strength of grassroots support behind Adeleke.
“The lesson from Osun is simple: political structures and powerful personalities can mobilise people, but they cannot vote in place of the electorate,” he said.
He further alleged that supporters of Adeleke and the opposition came under pressure and intimidation during the build-up to the election, but maintained that the voters refused to be cowed.
According to him, the election represented an important test and milestone of Nigeria’s democratic resilience, particularly in an environment where political competition is often accompanied by intense pressure and even threats to life.
Jada said the outcome should serve as a wake-up call to the ruling APC, arguing that the party could not rely on its control of federal institutions, number of governors or political structures to guarantee victory in 2027.
“If the APC could not secure the desired outcome in Osun despite the massive deployment of political machinery, then the party should understand that the Nigerian electorate is becoming more conscious of its power,” he said.
He maintained that the economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment, infrastructure deficit and other socio-economic challenges confronting Nigerians will alter voting patterns in 2027.
Jada argued that many Nigerians were looking for leaders with demonstrable records of integrity, prudent management of public resources, human capital development and effective service delivery.
It was against this backdrop, he said, that the proposed Obi-Kwankwaso political platform could become a major force in the 2027 presidential contest.
Jada specifically identified former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, and former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, as leaders he believed possessed the experience and public-sector records required to provide an alternative direction for the country.
He claimed that both politicians had demonstrated comparatively strong records in infrastructure development, education, human capital development, economic management and security during their respective tenures as governors.
“The Nigerian people are yearning for leadership that is accountable, competent, transparent and genuinely committed to service. That is where Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso stand tall,” he said.
Jada said the Osun election should therefore not be viewed merely as a state-level contest but as an indication of the growing determination of voters to assert their constitutional power through the ballot box.
He urged Nigerians to remain vigilant, protect the sanctity of their votes and resist every attempt to undermine democratic participation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“The people, not governors, ministers or political godfathers, are the real determinants of electoral victory. What happened in Osun is a pointer to what Nigerians will do in 2027,” he said.
Jada said his group would continue to mobilise Nigerians around the need for competent, accountable and people-oriented leadership in 2027.
