Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi have congratulated Governor Ademola Adeleke on his re-election as Governor of Osun State.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Adeleke of the Accord Party winner of the 2026 Osun State governorship election after the collation of results from the 30 local government areas.
Adeleke polled 511,067 votes to defeat the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, who scored 444,815 votes, giving the incumbent a winning margin of 66,252 votes.
The ADC candidate, Najeem Salaam, came third with 17,180 votes.
Adeleke won 19 of the 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji secured 11.
Reacting to the outcome, Makinde described Adeleke’s victory as a triumph for democracy and the people of Osun State, saying it was a reward for the governor’s commitment to good governance and service delivery.
Makinde, who is also Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and presidential candidate of APM said the result had once again demonstrated that the people wield the ultimate power in a democracy.
According to him, the election showed that “the people’s movement will always triumph over all other considerations.”
He commended the people of Osun State for what he described as their courage and determination to vote for their preferred candidate despite the alleged use of federal institutions and powers to suppress their will.
Makinde said: “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.”
He added that the outcome had shown that “the rule of the people and their willpower will always out-muscle the rule of politics.”
The Oyo governor also urged Adeleke to see his re-election as an encouragement to deliver more development to the people of Osun State.
Makinde further commended INEC for the smooth conduct of the election, describing the Osun governorship poll as a litmus test for the 2027 general elections.
He urged the electoral commission to maintain the confidence of Nigerians and ensure that it does not disappoint the electorate ahead of the 2027 polls.
Meanwhile, the ADC presidential candidate ATIKU Abubakar congratulated Adeleke and described his victory as a reflection of the choice of the people of Osun as expressed at the ballot box.
“I commend the people for their passion and peaceful participation. I wish Governor Adeleke continued success as he continues to serve them,” Atiku said.
Similarly, Peter Obi congratulated Adeleke and the people of Osun State, describing the outcome as an important democratic victory.
Obi said the people of Osun had spoken “with courage and clarity,” reaffirming that the power to choose leaders belongs to the people.
He particularly commended the youths of Osun for peacefully defending what he described as their democratic mandate, stressing that citizens must remain vigilant and protect their votes.
Obi also urged Nigerians to remain informed and actively participate in the 2027 elections, arguing that the people have the power through their votes to demand an end to hunger, insecurity, deprivation and hardship.
He called on political actors to place the interests of Nigerians above partisan considerations and embrace peace, unity and the rule of law.
The three leaders’ reactions came as Adeleke’s victory represents a major setback for the APC, which had classified Osun as a “must-win” state and deployed several senior party leaders and a 276-member campaign council for the election.
The result is expected to trigger fresh political calculations ahead of the 2027 general elections, particularly within the APC.
For Adeleke, the victory secures another four-year mandate and gives his administration an opportunity to consolidate its programmes and development agenda in Osun State.
 candidate, Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, who scored 444,815 votes,){kind=link}