A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the party’s 2023 Benue South Senatorial candidate, Comrade Daniel Onjeh, has congratulated Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on his victory in the governorship election, describing the outcome as a victory for democracy and the people of the state.

Onjeh, in a statement issued on Sunday, commended Osun voters for what he described as their vigilance, resilience and active participation in the electoral process.

He said the election demonstrated that citizens could determine their political future through peaceful and sustained participation.

“Congratulations to the people of Osun State and to Governor Adeleke. You took the political destiny of your state into your own hands, and through your vigilance, determination, resilience and active participation in the democratic process, you have contributed to deepening and consolidating Nigeria’s budding democracy,” he said.

“This is certainly Governor Adeleke’s victory, but beyond him, it is a victory for democracy and, most importantly, a victory for the people of Osun State.”

The APC chieftain said the outcome should also prompt Nigerians to reconsider the place of political parties in the democratic process, arguing that parties should serve as vehicles for citizens rather than become more important than the electorate.

“Political parties ought to be the building blocks and driving wheels of democracy. If democracy must flourish, the parties themselves must first be democratic,” Onjeh said.

He criticised the alleged manipulation of internal party processes, including the imposition of candidates and disregard for established rules, saying democracy must first be practised within political parties before it can thrive in the wider society.

“Democracy must begin from within the political parties themselves,” he said.

Onjeh also urged Nigerians to draw lessons from the Osun election ahead of the 2027 general elections, stressing the importance of massive voter participation and peaceful vigilance.

“The most effective answer to those who may contemplate manipulating an election is massive participation,” he said.

“If people genuinely desire a particular political direction or change, they must come out en masse and express that choice through the ballot.”

He further advised voters to remain engaged after casting their ballots by witnessing the counting, ensuring that results were properly recorded and monitoring their transmission through the Independent National Electoral Commission’s Result Viewing Portal, IReV.

“That is the kind of peaceful vigilance democracy requires. Cast your vote, but do not become indifferent to what happens to that vote afterwards,” Onjeh said.

He also highlighted the role of technology in strengthening electoral transparency, urging voters, where permitted by law, to preserve photographic records of polling-unit results for independent verification.

“Technology has changed the electoral environment. Where lawful, preserve a photograph of the duly completed result from your polling unit. Share legitimate information. Follow the figures as they move through the process,” he said.

Onjeh maintained that the responsibility of citizens should extend from voting through counting, recording, transmission and collation.

“Democracy cannot be sustained by spectators. If Nigerians want their votes to count in 2027, they must participate massively and remain peacefully vigilant from voting through counting, recording, transmission and collation,” he said.

He urged Adeleke to see his re-election as a renewed responsibility to serve the people, while calling on political actors to prioritise the peace and development of Osun State.

“Elections will come and go. Political parties will win some and lose others. But democracy and Nigeria must always be the ultimate winners,” Onjeh said.