“If They Did It, So Can We”: Babalola Draws Lessons from Opposition Wins in Other Nigerian States
July 26, 2025 | Ado-Ekiti,
Ekiti State
Otunba Olumuyiwa Babalola, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) gubernatorial aspirant, is spotlighting successful opposition victories in states like Oyo, Edo, and Osun as case studies for how Ekiti’s 2026 race can be won-despite systemic obstacles like vote-buying, entrenched loyalty networks, and electoral bias.
“In Oyo, Makinde overcame money politics with message clarity and coalition strength. In Edo, Obaseki fought state-backed opposition with relentless grassroots engagement. In Osun, Adeleke countered loyalty networks with sustained visibility and voter empowerment.
These are not miracles-they are blueprints,” Babalola declared at a strategy roundtable with party stakeholders.
He emphasized that these campaigns succeeded not just on messag but on mechanics-tight LGA coordination, ward-based canvassing, digital monitoring, and alliance-building.
Babalola is adapting these lessons through what his team calls the “Adaptive Opposition Model”, which includes:
Community-based anti-vote-buying tactics such as early voter pledges and integrity captains;
Coalition diplomacy with other progressive platforms, modeled after Oyo and Edo’s united fronts;
Independent parallel voter count teams to guard against tampered results, as piloted in Osun.
He also highlighted that his campaign’s offer of a N20,000 monthly stipend for unemployed citizens gives real-time value to voters often swayed by temporary cash inducements.
“The lesson is clear: money can’t defeat movement. If the people believe the campaign is for them, they will defend it with their votes. That’s what happened in other states-and that’s what we’re building here in Ekiti.”
Babalola concluded by declaring 2026 as not just an election but a strategic opportunity. “We are not entering blindly-we are entering armed with precedent, strategy, and a people-first agenda.”