Ekiti 2026 election wake up call to politicians, parties – Lagos APC chieftain

A chieftain of the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Seye Oladejo, has said the just-concluded governorship election in Ekiti State is a wake-up call to all politicians and political parties in Nigeria.

Oladejo said the election has shown that elections are won at the polling units through Permanent Voters Cards, PVCs, and not on social media.

Oladejo said the election was a reminder that while social media remains an important platform for political engagement, opinion moulding and information dissemination, it is not a substitute for grassroots political mobilisation, voter education and the painstaking task of earning the trust and confidence of the electorate.

In a statement he signed tagged, ‘Ekiti 2026: When the PVC Defeated Social Media Hype’, Oladejo said: “The outcome of the Ekiti State governorship election has once again reinforced a timeless lesson in democratic politics: elections are won at the polling units by voters armed with their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs), not on social media timelines dominated by hashtags and viral sentiments.

“The election serves as a fitting reminder that while social media remains an important platform for political engagement, opinion moulding, and information dissemination, it is not a substitute for grassroots political mobilisation, voter education, and the painstaking task of earning the trust and confidence of the electorate.

“For too long, there has been a growing tendency in our political environment to mistake digital popularity for electoral strength. A loud online presence, trending conversations, and coordinated social media campaigns may create an illusion of widespread support, but the ultimate test of political relevance lies in the ability to convert goodwill into actual votes.”

He noted that the just-concluded governorship election in Ekiti State has reinforced the believe that an average electorate is becoming independent-minded.

Oladejo said: “The Ekiti governorship election has once again demonstrated that the average Nigerian voter is discerning and increasingly independent-minded. The people evaluate candidates not merely on the basis of online narratives but on competence, credibility, track record, and their perceived capacity to address the pressing challenges confronting society.

“This election has also reaffirmed the enduring relevance of political structures and community engagement. Democracy is fundamentally a people-driven process that thrives on direct interaction, door-to-door campaigns, stakeholder consultations, and consistent engagement with the electorate. Political parties that neglect grassroots mobilisation in favour of social media grandstanding do so at their own peril.

“The lesson from Ekiti extends beyond the state’s boundaries. It is particularly instructive as political actors begin to intensify preparations for the 2027 general elections. The temptation to confuse digital activism with electoral supremacy must be resisted. Social media can amplify messages, shape narratives, and energise supporters, but it cannot replace the indispensable role of PVCs and active voter participation.

“The election result is therefore a triumph of democratic participation and a victory for citizens who exercised their civic responsibility peacefully and responsibly. It is a testament to the fact that democracy belongs to those who participate, not merely to those who comment from the sidelines.”

He insisted that the experience gathered from the Ekiti State governorship election would serve as a wakeup call for politicians and political parties ahead of the upcoming off-cycle elections.

“As we move closer to another electoral cycle, the Ekiti experience should serve as a wake-up call to politicians and political parties across the country. The road to electoral success remains what it has always been: building trust among the people, articulating credible programmes, maintaining an effective grassroots presence, and encouraging citizens to obtain and use their Permanent Voters Cards.

“Ultimately, the Ekiti State governorship election will be remembered not simply for who won and who lost, but for the powerful message it delivered to Nigeria’s political class-that in a democracy, the Permanent Voters Card remains more potent than social media hype. The ballot, not the hashtag, remains the true currency of political power,” he added.