The Lagos State governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Prince Laja Adeoye, has described Governor Ademola Adeleke’s victory in the Osun State governorship election as proof that a determined electorate can withstand political pressure and defend its choice through the ballot.

Adeoye, in a congratulatory statement issued on Sunday, said the outcome of the August 15 election had demonstrated that political influence and the deployment of government resources could not permanently override the will of the people.

He said the Osun election reinforced the need to protect votes and guarantee citizens the freedom to participate in elections without intimidation or undue influence.

“The outcome of this election is a powerful reminder to the ruling APC that a determined people cannot be defeated. Even if all the funds in the nation’s treasury are expended, and every apparatus of the state is deployed against the will of the people, that will shall still prevail,” Adeoye said.

He added that the Osun electorate had once again demonstrated the importance of ensuring that votes freely cast by citizens are adequately protected.

“The Osun electorate has shown Nigeria once again that votes, when protected and courageously cast, remain the ultimate weapon against political tyranny,” he stated.

READ ALSO; Osun Decides: INEC declares Adeleke winner 

Adeleke, who contested the election on the platform of the Accord Party, was declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after securing 511,067 votes.

His closest challenger, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, polled 444,815 votes, while the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Najeem Salaam, finished third with 17,180 votes.

Adeleke secured victory in 19 of the state’s 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji won the remaining 11 LGAs.

Adeoye said the result should serve as an important lesson for political parties and public officials about the enduring power of the electorate.

He congratulated Adeleke and the people of Osun State, stressing that the protection of electoral choices remains central to strengthening Nigeria’s democratic institutions.

The statement comes as political parties and stakeholders continue to react to the outcome of the closely watched governorship election, with attention now shifting to the post-election process and the implications of the result for Nigeria’s wider political landscape.