By Myke Uzendu, Abuja
Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2027 presidential election, Peter Obi, has congratulated Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on his re-election, describing the outcome as a significant victory for democracy and a demonstration of the power of the people.
Obi, in a statement issued by his media office and signed by Idris Zekeri Jnr, spokesman for the Peter Obi Media Reach (POMR), on Sunday and titled, “Osun: When the People Stand, Democracy Wins,” said the people of Osun State had spoken with “courage and clarity” through the ballot.
He said Adeleke’s renewed mandate reaffirmed the principle that the authority to choose political leaders ultimately belonged to the people.
According to Obi, the governor’s re-election reflected what he described as his commitment to the people, compassion for their needs and achievements in office.
The NDC presidential candidate particularly commended the youths of Osun State for what he described as their courageous and peaceful defence of their democratic mandate.
He said the vigilance and determination displayed by young people during the electoral process demonstrated that citizens could protect their democratic choices when they remained committed to the electoral process.
“When the People Stand, Democracy Wins,” Obi stated, stressing that “the forces of good can overcome the forces of darkness” when citizens stand together to defend their rights.
He said the major lesson from the Osun election was that democracy remained strongest when citizens were informed, vigilant and conscious of their civic responsibilities.
Obi maintained that every legitimate vote must be respected and every lawful electoral mandate upheld, urging Nigerians to draw lessons from the Osun experience ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Looking ahead to the 2027 polls, he called on Nigerians to remain informed and actively participate in the electoral process by voting and protecting their votes.
The former Anambra State governor said Nigerians were directly affected by the country’s economic and security challenges and therefore possessed the power to influence the direction of governance through their votes.
He said citizens experiencing hunger, deprivation, insecurity and economic hardship must recognise the importance of their electoral choices in determining the leadership that would address those challenges.
Obi also urged political actors to place the interests of Nigerians above partisan considerations, while calling for peaceful elections anchored on unity and respect for the rule of law.
He stressed that elections should not be treated as battles to be won through violence but as contests in which political parties and candidates present their ideas, competence, character and records of service to the electorate.
“Elections should not be battles of violence but contests of ideas, competence, character, and service,” he said.
The NDC presidential candidate expressed hope that the Osun election would strengthen Nigerians’ confidence in democratic participation and encourage citizens across the country to remain vigilant ahead of the 2027 elections.
He urged Nigerians to remain committed to building what he described as a just, secure, prosperous and people-centred nation.
