Group Says Ballot Must Remain Stronger Than Political Influence, Urges Politicians to Earn Voters’ Trust
The Alliance of North Central Youth (ANCY) has described the recently concluded Osun State governorship election as an important test of Nigeria’s democratic development and the country’s commitment to electoral accountability.
The National Coordinator of ANCY, Hon. Gabriel Joshua Ojochegbe, said the election should not be viewed merely as a contest among political parties and individual candidates, but as an opportunity to reaffirm the principle that political power must ultimately derive from the consent of the people.
INEC had scheduled the Osun governorship election for August 15, 2026, making it one of the major off-cycle elections ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to Ojochegbe, the outcome of the election underscores the importance of allowing the democratic process to take its course, regardless of political affiliations.
He said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other political leaders could approach electoral contests from the standpoint of partisan interests, but democracy must remain centred on the will of the electorate.
“If the intention was simply to impose a particular outcome, there would be no need for an election. But democracy is not about the convenience of those in power; democracy is about the people,” Ojochegbe stated.
APC Ticket Does Not Guarantee Automatic Victory
ANCY said one of the major lessons from the Osun election is that securing the ticket of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) does not automatically guarantee victory at the polls.
The group noted that while a political party provides a platform, structure and opportunity for candidates, the ultimate power to determine who governs belongs to the electorate.
Ojochegbe said candidates must therefore earn the confidence, respect and votes of the people rather than relying solely on party structures, endorsements or political connections.
“Being an APC candidate does not give anybody an automatic victory. Your people must accept you. You must earn their confidence, respect and votes,” he said.
He added that candidates seeking elective office must return to their constituencies, listen to the people, understand their challenges and demonstrate the capacity to provide meaningful solutions.
‘The People Must Prevail’
The North Central youth group stressed that democracy becomes meaningful when the will of the people prevails.
According to ANCY, voters are not merely participants who appear at polling units during election periods but citizens exercising their constitutional rights to determine the direction of government.
The group said voters should have the opportunity to reward elected officials who perform well by renewing their mandates, while those who fail to meet expectations should be peacefully removed through the ballot.
“This is the essence of electoral accountability,” the group said.
ANCY Backs Electoral Reform, Direct Primaries
The group also linked the lessons from Osun to the broader debate on electoral reform and internal party democracy, particularly proposals concerning direct primaries.
ANCY argued that political parties are themselves important institutions of democracy and that a lack of sufficient participation in the process of selecting candidates could weaken public confidence in the wider electoral system.
According to the group, direct primaries, where adopted within the relevant legal and constitutional framework, could give ordinary party members a greater voice in determining who represents them.
The group maintained that political power should not be concentrated in the hands of a few individuals, stressing that party members and, ultimately, the electorate must have meaningful participation in choosing those who seek public office.
Performance Must Determine Political Survival
ANCY further maintained that political office should not be treated as a permanent entitlement.
Ojochegbe said elected officials must understand that every electoral mandate comes with responsibility, accountability and the obligation to deliver meaningful development to the people.
He said officials who perform well should be given the opportunity to seek another mandate, while those who fail should be subjected to the verdict of the electorate.
The group summarised its position with the slogan: “Vote for performance. Vote out failure.”
According to ANCY, the ballot should remain a peaceful mechanism through which Nigerians can reward good governance and reject poor performance.
‘Democracy Is Bigger Than Political Parties’
The group also cautioned political parties against reducing democracy to a mere competition for political power.
It said political parties are vehicles through which candidates seek elective office, but the sovereignty of democracy ultimately belongs to the people.
“A political party may win an election, but it must never forget that its mandate belongs to the people,” ANCY said.
The group therefore urged political leaders across party lines to strengthen their engagement with citizens rather than relying exclusively on political structures.
Message to Political Candidates
Ojochegbe urged politicians across Nigeria to learn from what he described as the growing democratic consciousness of Nigerian voters.
He advised aspirants and elected officials to return to the grassroots, engage communities, listen to young people, address the concerns of women and support economic development in their constituencies.
“Your people must accept you. Your people must trust you. Your people must see reasons to vote for you. Party affiliation can give you a platform, but it is the people who give you the mandate,” he said.
ANCY Calls for Stronger Democratic Culture
According to ANCY, the greater victory in any election is not necessarily about which political party wins or loses, but the emergence of a political culture where citizens understand that their votes matter.
The group said when politicians understand that voters can reward good performance and reject poor performance, accountability becomes stronger.
It added that greater participation by party members in the selection of candidates would strengthen internal democracy, while free choice by citizens would enhance democratic legitimacy.
ANCY also stressed that elected officials must understand that political power is temporary, while accountability to the people is permanent.
Conclusion
The Alliance of North Central Youth said the Osun election should be viewed as part of Nigeria’s continuing democratic journey and an opportunity to deepen the culture of electoral accountability.
According to the group:
No candidate should consider victory automatic.
No political party should consider the electorate its permanent possession.
No elected official should consider public office a personal entitlement.
ANCY maintained that the people must remain sovereign and be allowed to choose their leaders, assess their performance, reward good governance and vote out those who fail to meet their expectations.
Ojochegbe said the future of Nigeria’s democracy depends not only on who wins elections, but also on whether electoral processes continue to empower citizens to make meaningful choices.
“The ballot must remain the voice of the people. Let the people decide. Let performance speak. Let democracy prevail.”
Hon. Gabriel Joshua Ojochegbe
National Coordinator, Alliance of North Central Youth (ANCY)
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