Lagos State governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement, APM, Laja Adeoye, has reacted to Ademola Adeleke’s victory in the Osun governorship election.
According to Daily Post, Adeoye said the outcome showed that voters could stand their ground despite pressure from political actors. He also congratulated Adeleke on winning another term in office.
Adeleke secured victory after defeating the All Progressives Congress candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, in Saturday’s election. The result came after a closely watched contest across the state.
The Independent National Electoral Commission declared Adeleke the winner with 511,067 votes. Oyebamiji polled 444,815 votes, while the African Democratic Congress candidate, Najeem Salaam, came third with 17,180 votes.
Adeleke won 19 of the 30 local government areas in the state. Oyebamiji, however, won in the remaining 11 local government areas.
For Adeoye, the result went beyond the victory of one candidate. He said it showed that voters could still make their voices heard when faced with political pressure.
He praised Osun voters for turning out to exercise their civic rights. Adeoye also argued that political influence could not always determine the outcome of an election.
The APM candidate said the development should serve as a lesson to Nigerians ahead of the 2027 general elections. He urged voters to pay attention to candidates and issues rather than allow political interests to dictate their choices.
Adeoye also drew attention to Lagos, where he is seeking the governorship. He encouraged residents to consider the APM as an alternative to the major political parties.
According to him, Lagos residents have several issues that require urgent attention. He mentioned flooding, traffic, unemployment and the housing crisis among the challenges facing the state.
Meanwhile, Adeoye urged Adeleke to remember the people who supported him during the Osun election. He warned the governor against making political decisions that could conflict with the wishes of his supporters.
He specifically cautioned Adeleke against supporting the All Progressives Congress at the presidential level in 2027. Adeoye said such a move could disappoint voters who stood behind him during the Osun election.
The APM candidate also called on Nigerians to support his party ahead of the 2027 polls. He noted that Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde is the party’s presidential candidate.
Adeoye said the Osun election had reinforced an important point: voters still have the power to shape political outcomes. He urged Nigerians to protect that power by participating actively in future elections.
