Politics

Edo 2020 Election: Observations, Lessons And Recommendations For APC

Published

6 years ago

November 12, 2020

The year 2020 gubernatorial election in Edo state has come and gone. Incumbent Governor Godwin Obaseki has been declared winner by INEC, the electoral umpire. Since he won convincingly, his victory has been accepted by his closest rival, Ize Iyamu, Iyamu’s party, the APC and the crux of the opposition party leaders- Messrs Muhammadu Buhari and Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Godfatherism was dealt with: In the September 2020 gubernatorial election, attempts by APC’s Adams Oshiomole and Bola Tinubu to foist their person on the people of Edo State was strongly resisted. The lesson for APC is that issue of godfatherism, imposition of candidate and frustration of eligible candidate is no longer in vogue, as the democracy of Nigeria leaps forward. It is recommended that while there can be fair internal screening of candidates, manipulation of candidates’ thirst to serve their people by arm-twisting them to step down should be discouraged.

2023 Presidential Election: Obviously, there are camps towards the struggle for the APC Presidential ticket, each trying to stifle the other camp’s ambition. The lesson is that in politics it is most unwise to underrate internal conflict, schism and the disgruntled. If the wall is not broken, the lizard cannot enter. In the September 19,2020 gubernatorial election, there were compromises and betrayals, perfected from inside the APC top hierarchy and manifested on the electoral fields.

How many sitting or past APC governors campaigned for the party and the candidate? What logistics for winning were made available for Ize-Iyamu? The recommendation is that within the South enclave of the party, certain people needs to be called to order to shelve their Presidential ambition. Unless, through hatred, jealousy and envy for certain people, the party will be torn into shreds before the Presidential primaries by which time to hold the center together, may be too late.

INEC, Police : These umpires could conduct a fair, free and credible election if they really want to. There were marked improvements in the performance of these bodies pre, during and after the 19/9/2020 election in Edo state. Former American President, Obama said ‘ Africa needs strong institutions, not strong men’. The onus is on Nigeria’s leadership to strengthen and support these institutions as Nigeria’s democratic growth and development progresses.

APC should prepare itself as a political party through selection of candidates, campaigns, funding, party cohesion to participate in fair, free and credible elections.

Buhari and APC: The body language of Nigeria’s incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari is not showing that he intends to trade his statesmanship, leadership credibility identity, integrity, posterity for the APC, going forward. Recently, he supported a factional Chairman against erstwhile sitting National Chairman Adams Oshiomole, stating unambiguously that the rule of law was on the side of the factional Chairman.

Buhari was one of the first set of people to congratulate Obaseki for winning the September 19 elections. Clearly, he does not seem fastidious or elated about the Tinubu/Oshiomole grandstanding and he can use his enormous presidential powers, political clout to checkmate them anytime suddenly.

Given this, where their interests matter, Tinubu/Oshiomole can not rely on the presidential support as currently situated. More work, outside reliance on Buhari will need to be done by the APC and founders of the party.

South Presidential Ambition: The South East which should justifiably lay claim to the South President slot in the APC have not embraced it as a political platform since inception of the party. The party has not perform well in the region as South East has always voted for the PDP. So, they should struggle for PDP Presidential ticket ditto for the South South.

With the capture of Edo State, the entire South South region is being controlled by PDP Governors under the leadership of Governor Nyesom Wike.

The South South PDP can justifiably lay claim to contest in PDP presidential primary, not in the APC which they have not embraced politically. By loyalty, sacrifices and service in the APC as a party , the South West APC has done well for the political party than any other region in the South.

Searchlight for APC Presidential candidate should be beamed towards a credible candidate in the Southwest, as they are bringing block votes. In my opinion, Bola Ahmed Tinubu (BAT) may want it, desire it, long for it, qualify eminently for it but with serial losses of his hold as a national leader in the party as being orchestrated by ‘Fulani hegemony’, treatments earlier given to late Obafemi Awolowo, Moshood Kasimawo Abiola (MKO) may just be the ‘reserved master cards’ for him. It is recommended that same BAT, shops for credible , sellable presidential candidate who can command the trust of the Hausa Fulani from the North West, North Central and North East regions.

BAT should join Buhari in the political shopping.

Welfarist Policies of Buhari’s APC: Costs of living cannot be going on like these, in high and astronomical fashion and APC would have any good hope in future elections. Masses of our people are suffering. Staple foods such as rice, bread and soup condiments are unaffordable. Farmers are being kidnapped and killed by Fulani herdsmen, their wives and children being raped.

In many families, unemployment is a common phenomenon. Costs of fuel, transportation and epileptic electricity are unavoidable. Call of people to elections involving APC is a call for display of anger of the hungry against a party suffering and harming them. If APC does not want to continue loosing elections, it should embrace populist welfarist policies as were done during late Muritala Mohammed regime, late Shehu Yaradua and current Governor Zulu of Borno state.

People are not being by rhetorics deceived; even if they were before, hunger, more education, social media have opened Nigerians eyes. From mid-year 2021, people should start feeling in smiling and tangible ways, the President Buhari’s APC and not these facades.

Recommendations and Realities: Let us give it to him, Bola Ahmed Tinubu is primus inter pares among politicians in APC and Nigeria. Many do not want to give it to him. The top echelon of the party need to reconcile with him.

Many of the politicians in APC being embraced by the ‘Cabals’ against him neither has his clout or can they make any meaningful impact. The Southwest will not betray Tinubu’s leadership. Kudos to the Buni-led Convention Committee that has been successful in many reconciliation efforts and making many aggrieved party members and leaders to return to the party.

Noticeably, Buni Committee brought back former Speaker Yakubu Dogara and his allies and made meaningful impacts in the reconciliation efforts of Oyo State APC members. However, more still need to be done. Buni was not successful in uniting the various interests in Edo State and APC failed successful reconciliation by truth and fairness committee directly reflects on party successes at the polls.

The people is the party and the people cannot be ignored by a serious political party. The lesson from September 2020 Edo State elections is also that the mass of the people cannot be ignored. APC needs more intense, fairer and deeper work by the various reconciliation committees setup throughout the length and breadth of the country.

Therein lies the future of the party. Therein lies APC successes in future elections.

Idowu Ayodele

Political Desk

Mega Icon Magazine

Related Topics:Adams Oshiomole Apc Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.Edo state Governor Godwin Obaseki Muhammadu Buhari Pastor Ize Iyamu PDP

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Politics

Adeleke: I Had No Electoral Deal With ADC

Published

6 days ago

August 18, 2026

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OSUN State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has denied having any electoral agreement or partnership with the African Democratic Congress before, during or after the August 15 governorship election.

Adeleke made the clarification on Tuesday in a post on his verified X handle, saying his victory was achieved through the support of God and the people of Osun State.

The governor said the ADC was not part of the political coalition that campaigned and mobilised support for his re-election, describing the group of political allies that worked for his victory as a “rainbow coalition.”

He said, “I had no electoral deal or partnership with the ADC before, during, or after the governorship election.”

Adeleke added that it was important to put the record straight, stressing that the ADC was not part of the coalition that campaigned and mobilised support for his re-election.

“For the sake of history, it is important to clarify that the ADC was never part of the rainbow coalition that canvassed, mobilised, and supported our campaign in the battle leading to last Saturday’s election,” he said.

The governor thanked his political allies for their sacrifices and efforts during the campaign, noting that their commitment contributed to his victory at the poll.

Adeleke, who called for unity after the election, said he remained governor of all Osun residents regardless of their political affiliation, religion or tribe.

“Now that the election is over, I remain the Governor of all Osun people, irrespective of political affiliation, religion, or tribe. My commitment is to unite our people and continue working for the progress and prosperity of Osun State,” he said.

Adeleke defeated the All Progressives Congress candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, and the ADC candidate, Najeem Salaam, in the keenly contested election.

The governor polled 511,067 votes to defeat Oyebamiji, who scored 444,815 votes, while Salaam secured 17,180 votes.

Adeleke won in 19 of the 30 local government areas in the state, while Oyebamiji won the remaining 11.

Politics

Adeleke Reaffirms Tinubu Endorsement After Osun Victory

Published

1 week ago

August 16, 2026

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Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has renewed his endorsement of President Bola Tinubu for a second term in 2027, barely hours after he was declared winner of Saturday’s governorship election.

Adeleke, who secured a second term in office, also commended Tinubu for what he described as his support for a free, fair and credible electoral process.

The governor spoke in Osogbo on Sunday while reacting to his victory, which he dedicated to the people of Osun State.

“At this point, I must deeply appreciate Mr President, His Excellency Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his strong support for a free and fair election,” Adeleke said.

“Mr President is a son of Osun State. And I hereby reaffirm my earlier endorsement of him for a second term in the 2027 presidential election.”

Adeleke thanked the people of the state for standing by him, saying their resilience and commitment to democracy had helped to produce the outcome of the election.

“In the last few months, Osun people have been under very intense pressure. Today, the issues are settled by the grace of God and the people.

“I therefore dedicate this victory to the good people of Osun State. I deeply appreciate your resilience, your strong will and your unwavering commitment to democracy,” he said.

The governor promised not to disappoint the electorate, saying his administration would build on its achievements and address areas where it had fallen short.

“As you have trusted me again for the second term in office, I will not disappoint you. To serve you better, I will reinforce my strong points and correct my errors,” Adeleke stated.

He also pledged to pursue accelerated development across the state under his renewed five-point agenda.

The Independent National Electoral Commission declared Adeleke the winner of the election in the early hours of Sunday.

The Returning Officer, Prof. Joshua Ogunwole, announced in Osogbo that Adeleke polled 511,067 votes to defeat the All Progressives Congress candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, who scored 444,815 votes.

The candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Najeem Salaam, came third with 17,180 votes.

A total of 1,005,800 votes were cast across the 30 local government areas of the state, while 985,079 votes were declared valid.

INEC said 1,010,684 voters were accredited for the election, which was contested by candidates of 15 political parties.

Adeleke’s victory secures another four-year term for him and further strengthens his political position in Osun ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Politics

Tinubu tasks INEC, security agencies on credible Osun election

Published

1 week ago

August 14, 2026

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President Bola Tinubu has charged the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies to ensure a peaceful, transparent and credible governorship election in Osun State.

Tinubu made the call in a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, ahead of Saturday’s poll.

The President urged INEC to uphold the integrity of the electoral process and ensure that voters are allowed to freely choose their preferred candidate.

“As the people of Osun State head to the polling units to elect who will govern them in the next four years, I call on the Independent National Electoral Commission to ensure orderly conduct of the election.

“The election must be transparent, free and fair. I urge INEC to ensure the integrity of the process,” he said.

Tinubu also urged the electoral commission to use the Osun election as an opportunity to demonstrate its preparedness for the 2027 general elections.

“INEC must use this last off-cycle election as a test case to demonstrate to Nigerians their full preparedness for the 2027 polls,” the President added.

The President also charged the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, and other security chiefs deployed for the election to provide adequate security at polling units and prevent attempts to disrupt the exercise.

“I have charged the Inspector-General of Police and other heads of security outfits taking part in the election to provide maximum security at polling units. No room should be allowed for troublemakers to disrupt the process,” Tinubu said.

He stressed the need to protect voters and electoral officials, urging residents to participate in the election without fear or intimidation.

“Electoral officials and voters must be protected so they can perform their civic duties without fear or intimidation. Voters should feel confident to go out in their numbers to vote for the candidate of their choice, as all measures necessary to ensure a peaceful, free and fair election have been put in place.

“Our elections must be credible, and the outcome of the Osun Governorship election must reflect the will of the people,” he said.

Tinubu further urged voters to exercise their civic responsibility peacefully and avoid actions capable of undermining the conduct of the election.

More than 25,000 security personnel have been deployed across the state for the poll, while INEC has said preparations are on course.

With 15 candidates on the ballot, the election is expected to be keenly contested as voters across the state’s 30 local government areas elect a governor for the next four years.