Public affairs commentator, Mahdi Shehu, has described the recent Osun State governorship election as a wake-up call for Northern voters and other Nigerians, urging them to be more deliberate in exercising their voting rights.

Shehu, in a post on X on Monday, argued that the election showed that determined voters could resist political pressure despite the influence and resources available to those in power.

He claimed that the All Progressives Congress, APC, entered the election with the advantage of incumbency and deployed substantial human and material resources to secure victory.

According to him, the party’s efforts were resisted by voters who had already decided what they wanted and were not swayed by inducements, intimidation or last-minute promises.

Shehu argued that similar voter determination in parts of Northern Nigeria and the South-East could produce different electoral outcomes.

He further criticised what he described as the passivity of some Northern voters, urging them to learn from the Osun election and make voting decisions based on their long-term interests rather than immediate benefits or political sentiments.

He said Nigerians should “vote wisely” and in ways that serve their best interests.