Utomi: Osun Election Shows Voters Can Defeat Rigging

“Like in Kano in years before, the people proved that their will can triumph over the forces of rigging.

Professor of Political Economy, Pat Utomi, has described the recently concluded Osun State governorship election as proof that voters can overcome attempts to manipulate elections.

Utomi, in a statement posted on his verified X handle on Sunday, said the outcome of the poll demonstrated the power of the people to defend their votes.

His comments followed the declaration of the incumbent governor, Ademola Adeleke, as winner of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Adeleke, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), won in 19 of the 30 Local Government Areas, polling 511,067 votes, while his closest challenger, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, secured 444,815 votes from 11 LGAs.

Reacting to the result, Utomi said, “Nigeria we hail thee. So the people triumphed in the State of Osun.

“Like in Kano in years before, the people proved that their will can triumph over the forces of rigging.

“Massive turnout and a fighting spirit can save democracy. On to 2027 in confidence,” he wrote.