Sheer display of federal might could not stop Adeleke’s victory, says Makinde

By Adeola Badru Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has said the “sheer display of federal might” could not override the will of the people of Osun State, as he congratulated Governor Ademola Adeleke on his re-election. Makinde, in a congratulatory message made available to journalists on Sunday, described Adeleke’s victory as a triumph for democracy and the people of Osun State, saying the outcome of the governorship election demonstrated that the electorate retained the ultimate power in a democratic system. The Oyo governor, who is also Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, commended the people of Osun State for demonstrating courage by voting for their preferred candidate despite what he described as violence and the deployment of federal institutions and powers in an attempt to suppress and subvert their will.

Makinde said the election had exposed the limits of political power when confronted by a determined electorate, stressing that the will of the people would always triumph over other considerations. 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 governor specifically praised Osun voters for refusing to be deterred by what he described as the “sheer use of federal institutions and powers” against their preferred 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. According to Makinde, the result represented a significant lesson for politicians who believe that political power and the machinery of government could be deployed to determine electoral outcomes irrespective of the wishes of the electorate.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi have congratulated Governor Ademola Adeleke on his re-election in the Osun State governorship election. The two opposition figures separately reacted to Adeleke’s victory in posts on their X accounts on Sunday, commending Osun voters and highlighting the significance of the election to Nigeria’s democracy. Atiku described Adeleke’s victory as a reflection of the choice made by the people of Osun at the ballot box.

“I congratulate Governor Ademola Adeleke, @AAdeleke_01, on his re-election as Governor of Osun State. His victory demonstrates the choice of the people of Osun as expressed at the ballot box,” Atiku said. He also commended the electorate for what he described as their passion and peaceful participation in the election, while wishing Adeleke success in his second term.

“I commend the people for their passion and peaceful participation. I wish Governor Adeleke continued success as he continues to serve them,” he added. Obi, in his reaction, titled “Osun: When the People Stand, Democracy Wins,” also congratulated Adeleke and the people of the state.