#OsunDecides2026: Rhodes-Vivour hails voters’ ‘spectacular triumph against tyranny’

Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, a former Labour Party governorship candidate in Lagos State, has lauded the people of Osun State for Governor Ademola Adeleke's re-election, calling it a "spectacular triumph against tyranny." In a statement on his X account, Rhodes-Vivour emphasized that the Osun electorate had shown that intimidation and inducement could not deter citizens from upholding their democratic choice.

He pointed out that no amount of guns, threats, or inducement could stop a determined people from resisting the rule of their oppressors. Rhodes-Vivour stressed that the immediate lesson from Osun was the voters' ability to decide electoral outcomes when they remain committed to protecting their democratic rights. He urged Nigerians to learn from this outcome as political parties and opposition groups prepare for the 2027 general elections.

Adeleke, who ran on the Accord Party platform, secured 511,067 votes, defeating his closest rival, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress, who received 444,815 votes. Adeleke won 19 of Osun's 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji won 11. This victory marked a significant political comeback for Adeleke, who shifted from the Peoples Democratic Party to the Accord Party ahead of the 2022 governorship election.

The election campaign was marked by intense competition, political realignments, and allegations of intimidation, security issues, and financial inducements. Following the election, civil society groups raised concerns about alleged vote-buying, financial inducements, violence, and voter intimidation. In response, Rhodes-Vivour called for investigations into these claims by the Independent National Electoral Commission, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.

Despite the controversy surrounding the election, Adeleke emerged as the clear winner, while third-place finisher Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress received 17,180 votes. Rhodes-Vivour's comments come as opposition figures and political actors continue to react to Adeleke's re-election.