THE LESSONS FROM THE OSUN STATE ELECTION, 2026

What I witnessed in Osun State has left me with many lessons about democracy, political organization, grassroots mobilization and the power of the people.

I sincerely sympathize with Governor Ademola Adeleke and the people of Osun State over the tension and violence surrounding the election. The presence of several APC governors and other political stakeholders created a very serious political atmosphere. However, the most important lesson was that political influence, intimidation and the presence of powerful individuals cannot easily overturn the decision of an electorate that has already made up its mind.

It was particularly painful to hear of the deaths of young Nigerians in the days leading up to the election. No Nigerian election is worth the life of a brother, sister, son, daughter or parent. Those who lose their lives in political violence are not usually related to the politicians they are fighting or dying for. Instead, their families are left to bear the pain, poverty and suffering that follow such needless deaths.

Despite the tension, the people of Osun State came out in large numbers to exercise their constitutional right to vote. That is a powerful message: Nigerians must not allow fear to permanently take away their democratic rights.

I also observed a very strong lesson in grassroots political organization. Voters were determined to ensure that the results from their polling units were properly recorded and uploaded before leaving the voting centres. This level of vigilance made it more difficult for anyone to interfere with the process after voting.

Another important observation was the grassroots structure of the Accord Party. In many wards, its stakeholders were present and actively monitoring their polling units. They were not simply waiting for election day; they had people on the ground who understood their responsibilities and remained focused on protecting their votes.

The relationship between the younger members of the party and their elders was also remarkable. There was serious communication and coordination between generations. Rather than concentrating primarily on confrontation or violence, many of them focused on winning their respective wards and protecting the electoral process.

This is one of the biggest lessons for the NDC.

If the NDC truly wants to compete effectively in future elections, especially the 2027 general election, it must urgently build a strong grassroots structure. Politics cannot be won from Abuja alone. Elections are won at polling units, wards and communities.

The party must establish functioning structures in villages, communities and wards. It must identify responsible coordinators, train polling-unit agents, strengthen communication between young people and elders, and ensure that every polling unit has people who understand the electoral process.

The lesson from Osun is clear: when voters are organized and their votes are properly protected from the polling unit upward, it becomes much more difficult for anyone to manipulate the final outcome.

The NDC should therefore stop waiting and start building. There is still time, but the time must be used wisely.

I say this repeatedly because it is important: something urgent must be done at the grassroots.

If nothing is done in our villages and communities, the party may have political ideas and popular personalities but still struggle to translate that popularity into electoral strength.

The 2026 Osun experience should therefore serve as a wake-up call. Political parties must return to the people, build genuine structures, educate voters, protect the ballot and prepare long before election day.

The real battle for democracy begins at the polling unit.