Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has described Ademola Adelekeโs re-election as a victory for democracy, saying the โsheer display of federal mightโ could not override the will of Osun State voters.
Makinde, who is also Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Governorsโ Forum, stated this in a congratulatory message issued on Sunday following Adelekeโs victory in Saturdayโs Osun State governorship election.
The Oyo governor commended the people of Osun for remaining resolute in choosing their preferred candidate despite what he described as violence and the deployment of federal institutions and powers to suppress their will.
According to Makinde, the outcome demonstrated that political power and government machinery cannot ultimately determine electoral outcomes when voters are determined to exercise their democratic rights.
โI congratulate my brother and Governor of Osun State, HE Senator Ademola Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke, on his re-election for another term.
โThis 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,โ he said.
Makinde added that the election had once again demonstrated the power of the electorate in a democracy.
โThe 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,โ he said.
He specifically praised Osun voters for resisting what he described as the โsheer use of federal institutions and powersโ to influence the election.
โI 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,โ Makinde said.
The governor said the election offered an important lesson to politicians who believe that government power and political influence can be used to determine electoral outcomes regardless of votersโ preferences.
Makinde recalled that he had previously warned that the rule of law must take precedence over political interests, saying the Osun electorate had demonstrated the strength of popular will in the face of political pressure.
โI did point out in my last newsletter that the rule of law must be allowed to prevail over the rule of politics.
โThe 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,โ he said.
He further cautioned politicians against deploying what he described as underhand tactics in their determination to win elections at all costs.
โWhen 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,โ he said.
Makinde urged Adeleke to see his re-election as a renewed mandate and responsibility to the people of Osun State, while encouraging him to focus on delivering more development and good governance during his second term.
He also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission for what he described as the smooth conduct of the electoral process.
According to the Oyo governor, the Osun governorship election was particularly important as a test ahead of the 2027 general elections.
โLet me also commend the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the smoothness of the process,โ he said, adding that Nigerians would expect the electoral body to demonstrate an even stronger commitment to credible and transparent elections in 2027.
