Former Sokoto State Governor and Senator representing Sokoto South, Aminu Tambuwal, has congratulated Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on his re-election, describing the outcome as a victory for democracy and the people of the state.
Tambuwal said Adeleke’s victory demonstrated the power of voters to freely choose their leaders through the ballot and showed the importance of respecting the outcome of elections.
The former governor and former Speaker of the House of Representatives made the remarks in a congratulatory message posted on his X account on Sunday.
He said Adeleke’s victory should not be viewed only as a personal achievement for the governor but also as a victory for the people of Osun State, who exercised their constitutional right to determine who should govern them.
“This victory is not only a personal triumph for Governor Adeleke; it is a victory for democracy and, above all, a victory for the people of Osun State, who have once again exercised their constitutional right to determine who leads them,” Tambuwal said.
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, declared Adeleke the winner of the Osun governorship election after he defeated the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Oyebamiji.
Adeleke secured 511,067 votes, while Oyebamiji polled 444,815 votes.
The governor won in 19 of the state’s 30 local government areas, while the APC candidate won in 11 local government areas.
The result gave Adeleke a margin of 66,252 votes and secured him another term in office.
The election was closely watched because of the political importance of Osun and the wider political contest between the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the APC.
Reacting to the outcome, Tambuwal said the election had again shown that the ballot remained one of the strongest tools available to citizens in a democratic system.
He said the ability of voters to choose their leaders and have their choices respected was important to the survival of democracy.
According to him, elections could only strengthen democratic institutions when citizens were confident that their votes would be respected.
“The ballot remains the most powerful expression of the will of the people in a democracy. When citizens freely make their choice, and that choice is respected, our democratic institutions are strengthened, and public confidence in the electoral process is deepened,” he stated.
Tambuwal commended the people of Osun State for participating in the election and for their commitment to the democratic process.
He also congratulated Adeleke for securing the confidence of voters for another term.
The former governor, however, urged Adeleke to see his re-election as a greater responsibility rather than simply a political victory.
He advised the governor to govern inclusively and serve all residents of the state, regardless of their political affiliations.
“As he prepares to continue the work of governance, I urge him to see this renewed mandate as an even greater responsibility to serve all the people of Osun State, irrespective of political affiliation,” Tambuwal said.
The advice comes as Adeleke prepares to begin another term at a time when Osun State, like many other states in the country, faces economic and social challenges.
The governor is expected to continue implementing his programmes while addressing issues affecting residents, including infrastructure, education, healthcare, employment and the cost of living.
Tambuwal said the fresh mandate should be used to advance the interests and welfare of the people of the state.
He wished Adeleke wisdom, strength and success as he continues to lead Osun.
“Congratulations, Your Excellency. Congratulations to the people of Osun State. Democracy has won,” he concluded.
Adeleke’s re-election has also generated reactions from political leaders and groups across the country, with several describing the result as an important development for Nigeria’s democratic process.
The election was significant for the PDP because Osun remains one of the South-West states where the party has maintained a strong political base.
Adeleke first became governor after winning the 2022 governorship election, defeating the then incumbent, Gboyega Oyetola of the APC.
His latest victory gives him the opportunity to consolidate his administration’s policies and programmes during another term.
For the APC, the result represents a setback in its attempt to regain control of the state.
The party has said it is studying the election results across the 332 wards in the state and consulting its legal team before deciding whether to challenge aspects of the election through the appropriate legal channels.
The APC has not yet announced whether it will file an election petition.
The post-election reactions have also placed renewed attention on the role of voters and the need for political actors to respect electoral outcomes.
Tambuwal’s comments reflect the view that the credibility of Nigeria’s democracy depends not only on conducting elections but also on ensuring that citizens can freely vote and that their choices are respected.
Political participation and confidence in elections have remained important issues in Nigeria, where concerns about electoral malpractice, violence and voter apathy have often affected the conduct of elections.
The use of technology and reforms introduced by the Independent National Electoral Commission have also been aimed at improving the credibility of elections, although political parties and candidates continue to raise concerns over aspects of the electoral process.
The Osun election therefore provides another opportunity for political actors, election officials and voters to assess the country’s democratic process.
For Tambuwal, the most important lesson from the election is that voters should remain at the centre of democracy.
He said the people of Osun had exercised their constitutional right and that their decision should be respected.
His call for Adeleke to govern all residents also highlights the responsibilities that come with electoral victory.
In a democratic system, elected leaders are expected to serve not only those who voted for them but the entire population.
Adeleke’s second term will therefore come with expectations from both his supporters and those who voted for his opponents.
The governor will be expected to build on his first-term achievements while addressing criticisms and concerns raised during the election campaign.
The renewed mandate also gives his administration an opportunity to work with political opponents, civil society groups, traditional institutions and other stakeholders to promote development across the state.
As the political dust surrounding the election settles, attention is expected to shift to governance and the implementation of policies that directly affect the people.
Tambuwal’s message therefore goes beyond congratulating Adeleke on his victory.
It is also a reminder that electoral success brings greater responsibility and that elected leaders must use the authority given to them by voters to improve the lives of the people.
The former governor expressed confidence that Adeleke would use his renewed mandate to serve the people of Osun State and advance their welfare.
He urged the governor to remain focused on governance and to ensure that his administration remains inclusive throughout his second term.
For now, Adeleke has secured another four years in office, while the people of Osun State await the policies and programs that will shape the next phase of his administration.
As Tambuwal put it, the outcome should be seen not merely as a victory for one politician but as a victory for the democratic choice of the people.
“Democracy has won,” he said.