The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has characterized Governor Ademola Adeleke’s recent victory in the Osun State governorship election as an ‘advance payment’ by Nigerians against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), asserting that the full payment will be due in the upcoming 2027 general elections.

In statements released by the party’s Interim National Working Committee and National Publicity Secretary, the PDP emphasized that the Osun election results serve as a warning that Nigerians are capable of resisting political pressure and defending their votes. They cautioned, however, that the integrity of the electoral process will be increasingly crucial as the next elections approach.

Comrade Ini Ememobong, a key figure in the PDP, underscored the broader political implications of the recent election, alleging that the APC resorted to intimidation and manipulation in a bid to secure victory. He claimed that the ruling party mobilized its political machinery to influence the outcome, referencing incidents of alleged assaults and arrests of opposition members during the election period.

Ememobong stated, “Overall, the result from Osun is an advance payment by Nigerians against the APC, the balance will come in 2027.” He pointed to a controversial incident involving Senator Francis Fadahunsi, who was reportedly invited by the police following a contentious statement, as indicative of the pressures faced by opposition figures.

The PDP has also raised concerns regarding the role of security agencies in the electoral process, particularly criticizing the police for perceived bias and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for freezing the state government’s accounts. Ememobong highlighted a significant delay of over two hours in the uploading of results from 470 polling units by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), calling these actions detrimental to democracy.

He urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and not to become complacent following the PDP's success in Osun, emphasizing that the failure of the APC to secure victory should not be interpreted as an end to attempts to undermine the electoral process. “Nigerians must vote, protect and defend their votes,” he insisted, advocating for election results that genuinely reflect the will of the people rather than the interests of a privileged minority.

In a separate statement, Hon. Jungudo Haruna Mohammed, the PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, congratulated Adeleke on his victory, recognizing the trust placed in him by the people of Osun. Although Adeleke ran under the Accord Party banner, Mohammed expressed pride in the PDP's role in the state’s democratic development and wished the new governor success in his tenure.

The PDP leaders concluded with a call for political actors to prioritize the peace and progress of Osun and Nigeria over partisan interests, hoping that Adeleke’s victory heralds a new chapter of unity and prosperity for the state’s residents.