…Says ‘Big names don’t win elections’

 

The Deputy Governorship Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Oyo State, Chief Niyi Aborisade, has described the party’s performance in the Osun State governorship election as a wake-up call ahead of the 2027 election in Oyo State, saying political “big names” do not necessarily translate to electoral victory.

Aborisade, who spoke while reacting to the outcome of the Osun election, said the ADC’s distant third-place finish was a “big humiliation” for the party and should compel its leadership to review its strategy ahead of the 2027 elections.

He disclosed that he had discussed the outcome with the ADC governorship candidate in Oyo State, Dr Gbemileke Alagbe, popularly known as Eleniyan, stressing that both of them had agreed to return to the grassroots and build the party around the electorate.

According to him, the Osun election demonstrated that the presence of prominent politicians and political heavyweights could not guarantee victory if a candidate lacked genuine connection with the people.

“It is now clear that big names don’t win elections in this modern world,” he said.

Aborisade said the ADC must learn from its experience in Osun and adopt a new strategy capable of securing victory in Oyo State.

He argued that the incumbent governor in Osun State was able to prevail because of his connection with the grassroots, rather than the political personalities mobilised to support his opponents.

The ADC deputy governorship candidate said the party would therefore focus on direct engagement with residents and communities across Oyo State rather than relying on political heavyweights.

He said: “Dr Alagbe and I agreed to go back to the basis of democracy: to the people. Government belongs to the people, and the grassroots is what matters, not the big names.”

Aborisade also questioned the electoral influence of some of the prominent politicians who participated in the Osun campaign, arguing that their presence did not translate into votes for their preferred candidate.

He cited the defeat of some prominent political figures at their polling units as evidence that political status alone could not determine voters’ choices.

“It is a wake-up call to us in the ADC. Dr Alagbe and I will change the dynamic to ensure smooth victory in Oyo State,” he said.

He expressed confidence that the ADC would win the 2027 governorship election in Oyo State, saying the party was already developing a strategic plan to strengthen its grassroots structure.

Aborisade said the party would not surround itself with people who merely carried prominent names but lacked influence among voters.

“The people of Oyo State are the big names; their voices and votes are what matters. They will speak for us, they will vote for us. We shall not betray them, we shall not disappoint them,” he said.

He described Oyo voters as politically sophisticated, saying the outcome of the Osun election showed that voters were increasingly willing to resist political intimidation and inducements.

According to him, the electorate in Osun “put money to shame”, adding that voters in Oyo State would do the same in 2027.

“The people of Oyo State are the most sophisticated people in Nigerian politics. Osun State was carved out of Oyo State, and so Osun displayed sophistication in Saturday’s election by not allowing anybody to steal their votes.

“They put money to shame in Osun State, and Oyo State people will put money-bag politicians to shame in 2027,” he said.

Aborisade said the ADC would take the lessons from Osun to its presidential campaign and other electoral activities, stressing that the party’s priority would be to build a people-oriented political structure.

He said the party would seek the confidence of residents through sustained grassroots engagement and a clear vision for governance, rather than depending on political personalities or financial inducements.

He added that the ADC’s ultimate objective was to form a government that would place the interests of Oyo residents at the centre of its policies and programmes.