Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central) and Michael Samuel Idoko, PDP candidate for Ogugu Constituency in the 2027 Kogi State House of Assembly election, have congratulated Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke on his re-election victory, describing the outcome as a clear expression of the people's will. Their reactions follow the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declaration of Adeleke, the Accord Party candidate, as the winner of the August 15 governorship election.
INEC Declares Adeleke Winner of Osun Governorship Election
INEC officially declared Adeleke the winner, defeating All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate Bola Oyebamiji and 14 other contestants. The Returning Officer, Prof. Joshua Ogunwole, made the final declaration after INEC's electronic results portal recorded thousands of polling-unit results during collation. The election was held on August 15, 2026, with results announced in Osogbo, Osun State.
Senator Natasha, in her reaction, said the outcome proved that political machinery and pressure could not permanently override the choice of the electorate. "The people of Osun State have spoken loudly and unmistakably. They stood firm, defended their votes and demonstrated that democracy belongs to the people. No amount of political machinery, intimidation or pressure can permanently silence the voice of the electorate," she said.
Natasha Commends INEC, Tinubu, and Davido
The senator praised INEC for managing the process and ensuring votes were properly counted and declared. "I commend the leadership of INEC for conducting the Osun election and for allowing the votes of the people to count. Elections are not merely about voting; they are about ensuring that the votes are properly accounted for and that the legitimate choice of the electorate is respected," she stated.
She also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who had urged Osun voters to go to the polls without fear and choose freely. "President Bola Ahmed Tinubu deserves commendation for allowing democracy to take its course in Osun State," Natasha said. Additionally, she recognised the role of music star David Adeleke, known as Davido, who chaired the Imole Youth Campaign Team and paused his music career to campaign for his uncle. On election day, Davido publicly alleged that soldiers tried to prevent him from entering Osun State, insisting on his right to freedom of movement.
"Davido stood firmly with his uncle. He did not hide his position or abandon his conviction when the political atmosphere became difficult," the senator said. She urged Governor Adeleke to treat his renewed mandate as a responsibility to serve every citizen, adding: "To every politician, there is a simple lesson from Osun: if you are a politician, let your works speak for you."
Idoko: 'The System' Is the People
In his assessment, Idoko said Adeleke's victory was a powerful demonstration of what an engaged electorate can achieve. He argued the election offered broader lessons about voter resilience and the shifting nature of political power in Nigeria, especially given the political and legal disputes over local government leadership in Osun and the reported freezing of statutory local government allocations by federal authorities from early 2025. Those circumstances created a serious burden for Adeleke's administration, yet voters returned to the polls and made their choice regardless.
Idoko rejected the idea that an unseen political "system" could override the will of determined voters. "The 'system' is imaginary. The people are the system," he said, insisting that political alliances, godfathers and party establishments could all be overturned when citizens exercised their rights with conviction. He maintained that the Osun election showed political calculations widely considered unassailable could unravel when voters acted collectively and decisively.
Idoko also spoke on the value of the individual ballot, noting that while a single voter might seem insignificant, hundreds of thousands acting together could reshape the political landscape of an entire state. He said one vote could reward performance, punish arrogance, reject imposition, or change the direction of governance. "No politician should be considered untouchable," he said, adding that no political structure or godfather should assume permanent ownership of an electorate.
Reflecting on Adeleke's victory, Idoko said it should serve as a reminder that voters remain the ultimate arbiters of a state's political destiny. "The political class may have its structures. The parties may have their machinery. The godfathers may have their networks. The establishments may have their influence. But when the people become sufficiently conscious, determined and united in their political choice, the calculations of the political establishment can change dramatically," he said.
Earlier, President Tinubu's special adviser on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga, released a State House press statement confirming that the president placed a personal call to Governor Adeleke to felicitate with him. Tinubu urged the governor to prioritise unity and work toward the economic and social development of the state, irrespective of how residents voted.
