Osun Election Shows Nigerians Want Genuine Change, Red-Flag To Ruling Party – Gombe

The National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prof. Abubakar Sadiq Gombe, has described the outcome of the Osun State election as proof that Nigerians are demanding genuine change.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Monday, Gombe said the result should serve as a warning to the ruling APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He noted that although the SDP candidate in Osun was uploaded late with no time for campaign, the party monitored the process closely and drew key lessons from it.

Gombe explained that the party only obtained a certified true copy of the Court of Appeal judgment recognising its candidate, Dr. Francis Ajala, last Friday.

“The delay made it impossible for the SDP to deploy agents across the state. It was the same challenge we faced during the last governorship election when our candidate was uploaded less than eight hours to voting,” he said.

The SDP chairman  commended INEC for conducting the election professionally and respecting the will of the Osun people.

He said one major lesson from the poll is that voters are now prioritizing character and performance over party affiliation.

“The emergence of Governor Ademola Adeleke, a former PDP member, who defected months ago, has shown that people now vote for  antecedents and not just the party” he said.

He also condemned the massive deployment of governors, ministers and federal resources to Osun during the election, describing it as an abuse of power.

The SDP leader called on security agencies to prevent sitting governors from abandoning their states to interfere in elections elsewhere.

He further urged opposition parties to come together in the national interest.

“We are calling on opposition parties to build a genuine coalition based on competence and capacity. That is the only way to rescue Nigeria in 2027,”he stated.

He added that the SDP is already presenting credible candidates nationwide and is ready to lead what he called the country’s rescue mission.