Nigeria: Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Congratulates Adeleke, Says 'People's Will' Has Triumphed

What the report says

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has congratulated Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke after his re-election, describing the result of the August 15 governorship vote as a victory for democracy and the electorate’s choice. The report, published by Leadership and distributed by AllAfrica, says she framed the outcome as evidence that voters can overcome political pressure and that electoral mandates rest with the people.

According to the article, the Independent National Electoral Commission declared Adeleke, the Accord Party candidate, winner with 511,067 votes, ahead of the All Progressives Congress candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, who received 445,815 votes. Akpoti-Uduaghan praised INEC’s handling of the poll, including electronic transmission and collation of results, and said the process showed that votes were properly counted.

The senator also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying his approach allowed Osun residents to choose their leader freely. She pointed to the role of campaign pressure, allegations raised by civil society about vote-buying and intimidation, and the tense political atmosphere as background to why the result was being viewed as significant.

She further cited the involvement of Davido, Adeleke’s nephew, as an example of personal support in politics, and said the outcome should serve as a lesson for politicians ahead of future elections. The piece places the Osun contest in the wider context of Nigeria’s democratic practice and the expectation that elected leaders should rely on public service rather than political machinery.