A former Accord Party presidential candidate, Prof. Chris Imumolen, has said President Bola Tinubu’s decision to remain restrained during the 2026 Osun State governorship election contributed to the emergence of Governor Ademola Adeleke as the winner.
Imumolen, in a statement on Sunday, rejected claims that Tinubu played no role in Adeleke’s victory, arguing that the President’s contribution should not be measured only by campaign appearances, financial support or direct political mobilisation.
According to him, Tinubu demonstrated what he described as “extraordinary democratic restraint” by refusing to deploy federal power against Adeleke during the election.
He said the President’s decision to avoid turning the contest into a confrontation between the Federal Government and the Osun governor helped create an environment where voters and political actors could exercise their choices without federal intimidation.
Imumolen noted that the political sensitivity of the election was heightened by the relationship between Tinubu and the candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress.
He argued that Tinubu’s conduct before and during the election should therefore be viewed as part of his contribution to the democratic process.
The Accord chieftain described attempts to dismiss the President’s role as “ungrateful and pretentious,” saying political support could also involve deliberately refraining from using state power against an opponent.
His comments come after Adeleke’s victory in the August 15 governorship election, where the incumbent secured another term in office.
Imumolen urged political stakeholders to recognise the importance of democratic restraint and institutional neutrality in strengthening Nigeria’s electoral process.
He said the Osun election offered an opportunity to examine how political leaders could support democracy not only through active participation but also by respecting the space for voters to freely determine their choice.
