Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has congratulated Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on his re-election, describing the outcome of the governorship election as a victory for democracy and the power of the people.
Obi, in a statement shared on Sunday, August 16, 2026, said the people of Osun had spoken with “courage and clarity” by renewing Adeleke’s mandate through the ballot.
The former Anambra State governor also commended voters in Osun State, particularly youths, for what he described as their vigilance and determination to protect their votes during the election.
According to Obi, Adeleke’s re-election reflected the confidence the electorate had in his administration, citing his commitment to the people, compassion for their needs and achievements recorded during his first term.
He particularly praised the youths of Osun for peacefully defending what he described as their democratic mandate.
Obi said the development demonstrated that citizens could influence the direction of government when they remained active, vigilant and determined to ensure that their votes counted.
“The lesson from Osun is clear: democracy is strongest when citizens are alert, conscious of their civic responsibility, and determined to ensure that their votes count,” Obi said.
The NDC presidential candidate further urged Nigerians to take lessons from the Osun election ahead of the 2027 general elections, calling on citizens to remain informed, participate actively in the electoral process and protect their votes at polling units.
He argued that Nigerians, who bear the consequences of issues such as hardship, insecurity, unemployment and poor governance, possess the constitutional power to demand change through their votes.
Obi also appealed to political actors to place the interests of Nigerians above partisan considerations, urging them to embrace peace, unity and the rule of law.
He maintained that elections should not be treated as battles, but as contests of ideas, competence, character and the ability to deliver good governance.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Adeleke the winner of the August 15 Osun governorship election. Adeleke, who contested under the Accord Party, polled 511,067 votes to defeat his closest challenger, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who scored 444,815 votes.
Adeleke won in 19 of Osun’s 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji won 11. The result gives Adeleke another four-year term after he first emerged governor in 2022.
Obi’s reaction has added a wider political dimension to the Osun result, particularly with the 2027 presidential election already attracting intense political realignment across the country.
His central message was that the Osun election should serve as a reminder that political power ultimately belongs to the electorate and that citizens who remain engaged in the electoral process can influence the outcome.
For Obi, the message from Osun is simple: when voters stand together to defend their mandate, democracy becomes stronger.
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