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Osun Poll: Ruling Party Can Lose Without ‘Federal Might’ — Sanwo-Olu
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has commended President Bola Tinubu for what he described as his commitment to democratic principles, saying the outcome of the recent Osun State governorship election demonstrated that the ruling party could lose an election without destabilising the democratic process.
Sanwo-Olu spoke on Thursday at the seventh annual lecture organised by Freedom Online at the Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, where he addressed Nigeria’s democratic development, electoral reforms and preparations for the 2027 general elections.
He cited the August 15 Osun governorship election, in which Accord Party candidate and incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke defeated the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, by more than 60,000 votes, as an indication that Nigeria’s electoral democracy was becoming more competitive.
The governor also referenced President Tinubu’s congratulatory message to Adeleke following the election and his subsequent meeting with the governor at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, during which he reportedly urged him to work towards uniting the state.
According to Sanwo-Olu, the developments represented a departure from an era when opposition parties were widely perceived as having limited chances of defeating a ruling party, particularly in elections involving the Federal Government.
> “There was a time in this country when ‘federal might’ was a phrase that a ruling party used without irony.
> “Under this President, the ruling party can lose a state in the South-West in an election year, and the sky does not fall. That is what a maturing democracy looks like.”
Sanwo-Olu described Tinubu as a “lifelong democrat” and said the President was committed to leaving behind stronger democratic institutions.
“This President is a lifelong democrat, and he means to leave behind a stronger democracy than he inherited, not only for Nigerians but as an example to a continent that badly needs one,” he said.
2027: Sanwo-Olu urges stronger electoral preparations
The governor said Nigeria had made progress in strengthening its electoral system, citing the Electoral Act 2022, the newly enacted Electoral Act 2026 and the growing use of technology in voter accreditation, verification and transmission of election results.
He, however, stressed that further preparations were necessary to ensure that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was adequately prepared for the 2027 elections.
“INEC must be ready in every polling unit on the 16th of January and again on the 6th of February, and each of us has a duty to help it be ready,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu also called on political parties, candidates and their supporters to respect electoral rules and avoid actions capable of triggering violence.
He maintained that political ambition should never take precedence over the safety and lives of Nigerians.
“A mandate is only as strong as the process that produced it. No office in this land is worth the life of a single Nigerian and no victory won by the wrong means is a victory at all,” he said.
Governors’ performance to shape 2027 polls
Sanwo-Olu further argued that the performance of state governors would be a major consideration for voters in the 2027 elections, saying citizens would assess political leaders based on their records in office.
He said voters were capable of evaluating the impact of government policies and projects in their communities, irrespective of their level of formal education or knowledge of economic statistics.
“Voters may not be economists, but they are excellent accountants. They know whether their state built the road it promised. They know whether the primary health centre has a nurse in it. They will bring that ledger with them to the polling unit,” he said.
According to him, the 2027 elections would provide Nigerians with an opportunity to assess the performance of governments at both the state and federal levels.
Sanwo-Olu tasks media on accountability
The governor also urged the media to strengthen its watchdog role ahead of the 2027 elections by scrutinising political actors and holding them accountable regardless of their party affiliation.
He cautioned journalists against turning the media into an extension of any political party, including the APC.
“I am not asking for a compliant press.
“A compliant press is of no use to a democracy; it flatters the powerful and abandons the public,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu urged journalists to independently verify information and expose false claims, including those originating from politicians and groups with which they might otherwise be politically aligned.
“I am asking for a rigorous press. Check the facts, mine included. Call out disinformation wherever it comes from, including from my own side,” he said.
He warned that misinformation and disinformation could pose an increasing challenge ahead of the 2027 elections, particularly amid the proliferation of anonymous social media accounts and manipulated audio-visual content.
“In the weeks ahead, the most dangerous lies will not come from newspapers. They will come from anonymous accounts and doctored videos and you are the institution best placed to answer them,” the governor said.
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