The senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, on Sunday congratulated Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on his re-election, describing his victory in Saturday’s governorship election as a triumph of democracy and the will of the people.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, in a statement issued by her media aide, Mike Idoko, also commended President Bola Tinubu for “allowing the people of Osun State to freely choose their governor” despite the intense political interests surrounding the election.

The Independent National Electoral Commission declared Adeleke, the Accord Party candidate, winner of the keenly contested poll, defeating the All Progressives Congress candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, among 15 candidates who contested the election.

Reacting to the outcome, Akpoti-Uduaghan said the result demonstrated that political power ultimately belonged to the electorate and could not be permanently secured through political influence, intimidation or the deployment of political machinery.

The lawmaker said the people of Osun stood firmly behind their preferred candidate despite what she described as intense political pressure surrounding the election.

She said, “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.”

The senator said Adeleke’s victory should be viewed beyond partisan politics, arguing that the election represented another important test of Nigeria’s democratic resilience. She noted that voters had demonstrated through their ballots their determination to protect the mandate they believed in despite the tense political atmosphere that preceded the poll.

He said, “What we witnessed in Osun is a powerful reminder that the ballot remains the strongest weapon of the ordinary citizen in a democracy. When the people are determined to protect their mandate, political calculations and structures cannot substitute for genuine popular support.”

The election followed weeks of intense campaigns, political realignments, and heightened security concerns, with issues such as vote-buying and security risks featuring prominently in discussions ahead of the poll.

Akpoti-Uduaghan commended Osun voters for refusing to be deterred by the pressures surrounding the election, saying their conduct reinforced the principle that elected mandates must come from the people. She also commended Tinubu for what she described as his decision not to interfere with the choice of Osun voters.

Ahead of the election, Tinubu had urged residents to turn out and vote for candidates of their choice without fear, while assuring them that no voter should be molested at polling units. Akpoti-Uduaghan said the President’s position was significant given the political interests surrounding the election.

She said, “President Bola Tinubu deserves commendation for allowing democracy to take its course in Osun State. Despite the enormous political interests and pressures surrounding the election, the people were allowed to exercise their constitutional right to choose their leader.”

The senator also acknowledged the role played by Nigerian music star, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, in supporting his uncle during the re-election campaign.

Davido was actively involved in Adeleke’s campaign and served as chairman of the Imole Youth Campaign Team.

She said, “Davido stood firmly with his uncle. He did not hide his position or abandon his conviction when the political atmosphere became difficult. Whatever one’s political persuasion may be, his determination to participate and support the democratic choice he believed in is noteworthy.”

Akpoti-Uduaghan said the broader lesson from the election was that political leaders must build genuine relationships with the electorate through service rather than relying solely on political structures.

According to her, the outcome should serve as a lesson to politicians across the country ahead of the 2027 general elections.