Arise Television anchor Oseni Rufai has criticized Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for their comments on the just concluded Osun State governorship election, urging them to stop misleading Nigerians. During the network’s ‘Morning Show’, Rufai directly addressed Wike, accusing him of gaslighting the public over the election results. The election, held on July 14, 2024, saw Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), defeating APC’s Gboyega Oyetola.
Rufai emphasized that the electoral process was largely peaceful and transparent, citing the high voter turnout and minimal incidents reported across polling units in Osun. He noted that INEC had conducted a credible exercise, with results uploaded in real time and verified by observers from various political parties and civil society groups. “The people have spoken,” Rufai stated, adding that attempts to discredit the outcome were not only baseless but also disrespectful to the electorate.
The anchor pointed out that Wike, during his recent public statements, had questioned the legitimacy of the result, suggesting irregularities without presenting concrete evidence. Rufai dismissed these claims as politically motivated, arguing that such narratives serve to undermine democratic processes rather than strengthen them. He reminded viewers that Nigeria’s democracy is built on the principle of free and fair elections, and that every citizen has the right to participate and be heard.
Rufai also highlighted the importance of respecting electoral outcomes, especially when they are officially declared by INEC. He stressed that opposition parties must channel their concerns through legal avenues rather than spreading unsubstantiated allegations. “We cannot allow our democracy to be hijacked by fear-mongering and misinformation,” he said, calling on all stakeholders to uphold the rule of law.
The Osun election drew national attention due to its significance as one of the first major state polls after the 2023 general elections. With over 1.5 million registered voters, the contest was closely watched by political analysts and international observers. Despite some minor logistical challenges, the overall conduct was deemed satisfactory by most monitoring bodies.
As Nigeria continues to navigate its democratic journey, the reactions to the Osun election underscore the need for responsible discourse from public figures. Rufai’s remarks reflect growing public demand for accountability and truth in political commentary. The coming months will likely see further scrutiny of electoral reforms and party conduct ahead of future elections.
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