Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has congratulated Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on his re-election, saying the “sheer display of federal might” could not override the will of the people.
Makinde, who is also the Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, described Adeleke’s victory as a triumph for democracy and the people of Osun State.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Oyo governor said the outcome demonstrated that voters ultimately retain the power to determine their preferred leaders in a democratic system.
He commended Osun voters for remaining resolute despite what he described as violence and the deployment of federal institutions and powers to suppress or undermine their choice.
Makinde said the election had demonstrated the limits of political power when faced with a determined electorate, stressing that the will of the people would ultimately prevail.
He said, “I congratulate my brother and Governor of Osun State, HE Senator Ademola Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke, on his re-election for another term.
“This victory is a reward for his hard work and the delivery of good governance, and, as they say, the reward for hard work is more work.
“The results of the election proved again that the people reserve the absolute power in a democracy and that their movement will always triumph over all other considerations.”
The Oyo governor particularly praised the people of Osun for voting for their preferred candidate despite what he described as the “sheer use of federal institutions and powers” against their choice.
“I also commend the teeming people of Osun State for their courage to vote for their choice despite the sheer use of federal institutions and powers to suppress and subvert their will,” he said.
Makinde said the election should serve as a lesson to politicians who believe that political authority and government machinery can determine electoral outcomes regardless of the wishes of voters.
He recalled that he had warned in his previous newsletter that the rule of law must take precedence over political interests.
“I did point out in my last newsletter that the rule of law must be allowed to prevail over the rule of politics.
“The voters in Osun State have taught politicians a lesson that the rule of the people and their willpower will always out-muscle the rule of politics,” he said.
Makinde also cautioned against the use of what he described as underhand tactics by politicians determined to win elections at all costs, warning that such actions could undermine democracy and the rule of law.
“When politicians resort to all sort of underhand tactics and enter a win-it-all-cost mode, not minding the survival of democracy or the rule of law, then the people will put them in check,” he said.
The governor urged Adeleke to see his re-election as a renewed responsibility to the people of Osun State and an opportunity to deliver greater development and good governance during his second term.
Makinde also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for what he described as the smooth conduct of the election.
He noted that the Osun governorship election was particularly important as a test ahead of the 2027 general elections, when Nigerians would expect the electoral commission to demonstrate an even stronger commitment to credible and transparent polls.
“Let me also commend the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the smoothness of the process,” he said.
“The Osun State Governorship election is a litmus test for the 2027 general election, an election in which Nigerians expect so much from INEC and it must not let them down.”