Oyo State Governor and Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Engr. Seyi Makinde, has congratulated the Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke, on his re-election, describing the victory as a triumph for democracy and the people of Osun State.
Makinde, in a statement issued on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Media, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, said Adeleke’s re-election was a reward for his commitment to the people and his administration’s achievements in delivering good governance.
The governor also commended the people of Osun State for exercising their democratic rights with courage and determination, despite what he described as violence and the alleged deployment of federal power and institutions to suppress their will.
According to him, the outcome of the election once again demonstrated that the people remain the ultimate holders of power in a democracy and that the collective movement of the people will always triumph over other considerations.
Makinde urged Adeleke to regard his re-election as an encouragement to do more for the people of Osun State, stressing that the reward for hard work is more work.
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 further commended Osun voters for standing by their choice, noting that their conduct had demonstrated the strength of popular will in a democracy.
“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 warned that politicians who resort to what he described as underhand tactics in pursuit of electoral victory risk provoking the people to defend democracy and the rule of law through the ballot.
“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 stated.
The governor also praised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for what he described as the smooth conduct of the Osun governorship election.
He described the off-cycle election as a litmus test for the 2027 general election, urging the electoral commission to sustain public confidence and meet Nigerians’ expectations.
“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,” Makinde said.
Signed:
Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju
Special Adviser (Media) to Oyo State Governor
August 16, 2026
