National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, Prof. Abubakar Sadiq Gombe, has explained why the party’s governorship candidate in Osun State, Mr Francis Ajala, could not defeat the incumbent, Ademola Adeleke, who emerged winner of Saturday’s election.
Gombe, speaking to journalists on Monday, said Osun voters thought Ajala would not participate in the poll.
He noted that the Court of Appeal judgment clearing Ajala came barely a day before the poll, which put him at a disadvantage during the just-concluded Osun State election.
According to him, the party’s abysmal performance in Osun does not indicate that it lacks a support base.
Gombe further said that one of the lessons learned from the Osun poll is that there is no small party, adding that it is a warning to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He added that, just like Osun people, Nigerian voters have a significant role to play in rescuing the country from the hands of the APC.
“SDP’s abysmal performance. It is as though SDP did not participate because until last Wednesday, SDP was not on the ballot.
“What happened in Osun is not the true strength of our support. Voters thought we would not participate.
“Outcome of Osun election is a warning signal to the ruling party. We call on INEC to replicate what happened in Osun in 2027 to boost the confidence of Nigerians and the international community of nations,” he said.
DAILY POST reports that Adeleke was declared the winner of the Osun State governorship election, defeating his closest rival, Bola Oyebamiji of the APC.
Recall that the Court of Appeal set aside a Federal High Court ruling recognising Shehu Gabam, which cleared the way for the SDP candidate in Osun.
Osun Election: Why SDP candidate couldn’t defeat Adeleke – Gombe