The Deputy Governorship Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Oyo State, Chief Niyi Aborisade, has said the people of the state will put money-bag politicians to shame in the 2027 governorship election, as voters did in the recent Osun State poll.
Aborisade, who described the ADC’s performance in the Osun governorship election as a “big humiliation,” said the outcome should serve as a wake-up call for the party ahead of the 2027 election in Oyo State.
He said the result had demonstrated that political influence, prominent names and financial power could not guarantee electoral victory without genuine connection with the grassroots.
According to him, he had discussed the outcome with the ADC governorship candidate in Oyo State, Dr Gbemileke Alagbe, popularly known as Eleniyan, with both agreeing that the party must adopt a new strategy anchored on the people.
Aborisade said the party would return to what he described as the “basis of democracy”—direct engagement with voters and communities.
He said: “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.
“Our government is for them, and they are the ones that deserve to reap the benefits of democracy.”
The ADC deputy governorship candidate said the Osun election had exposed the limitations of relying on political heavyweights, noting that several prominent politicians who mobilised support for candidates failed to translate their influence into electoral victory.
He said the ADC would not repeat the mistake of depending on political personalities with little or no grassroots influence, but would instead build its campaign around the electorate.
“It is now clear that big names don’t win elections in this modern world,” he said.
Aborisade said the outcome of the Osun election showed that the incumbent governor’s connection with the grassroots and the people was more important than the array of political heavyweights mobilised during the campaign.
He said the ADC would replicate such grassroots engagement in Oyo State, adding that the party was determined to open a new chapter that would transform its electoral fortunes.
“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,” he said.
Aborisade also described Oyo voters as politically sophisticated, saying they would not be easily swayed by money or political influence ahead of the 2027 election.
He said the outcome of the Osun poll had shown that voters were increasingly determined to exercise their franchise according to their convictions.
“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.
The ADC candidate said the party would share its new strategy with its presidential candidate and other stakeholders, while strengthening its grassroots structure across Oyo State ahead of the 2027 elections.
He said the party’s focus would be on earning the confidence of residents rather than relying on political personalities, adding that the ultimate objective was to build a government centred on the interests and welfare of the people of Oyo State.
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