Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has congratulated his Osun State counterpart, Ademola Adeleke, on his re-election, describing the outcome of the August 15 governorship election as a victory for the will of the people.
In a message published on his Facebook page, Makinde wrote:
«“Hearty congratulations to my brother, His Excellency Ademola Adeleke on his reelection as Governor of Osun State. It has indeed been a long and arduous journey but we are delighted that the will of the good people of Osun State prevailed in the end.”»
The message came after a fiercely contested election in which Adeleke, now flying the flag of the Accord Party, defeated the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Oyebamiji. According to results reported after the declaration, Adeleke polled 511,067 votes, defeating Oyebamiji by 66,252 votes.
The victory has since generated a wave of political reactions online, with social media users turning the election into a referendum on political strength, federal influence and the power of voters.
One particularly sarcastic comment asked:
«“So 16 APC governors went to Osun State just to witness Accord winning the Guber election?”»
Another commenter dragged Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo into the conversation, jokingly asking how he would explain the result “in pidgin.”
The humour became even more colourful with references to the APC's alleged distribution of rice during the campaign. One commenter joked that without the APC rice, some voters might not have had the “strength” to leave their homes, carry their Permanent Voter Cards and vote for Adeleke.
“APC provided the fuel, but Adeleke got the vote,” another commenter wrote, capturing the playful argument that accepting campaign gifts does not necessarily guarantee electoral loyalty.
The jokes also targeted the massive political machinery deployed by the APC. The party had openly presented the Osun election as a crucial battle ahead of the 2027 general elections and constituted a major national campaign council led by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma. The council included senior party leaders, governors, National Assembly figures and other stakeholders.
APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda had even compared the party's political strength to a “trailer” facing Adeleke's Accord, arguing that the opposition platform could not withstand the combined weight of APC governors, lawmakers and political structures.
That rhetoric has now become part of the post-election comedy.
“It's better to have one Davido than to have 50 Monday Okpebholo,” another commenter joked, making a playful reference to Adeleke's famous nephew and music superstar Davido.
Another wrote:
«“What was the fear of 31 Governors running to APC if one man stood alone in a not-so-popular party and won 31 Governors?”»
The figure is significant because APC leaders had previously stated that the party had grown to 31 governors, leaving only five states outside its control.
Perhaps the most politically provocative reaction was the suggestion that the Osun result should be studied ahead of 2027. One commenter referenced previous opposition victories, including Olusegun Mimiko and Seyi Makinde, before concluding: “If an election can be like this... then we are good to go.”
Whether viewed as a political upset, a rejection of political intimidation or simply a fiercely competitive state election, Osun 2026 has undoubtedly produced a powerful message: political structures may mobilise voters, but they cannot automatically dictate how those voters will vote.
And for social media, that message has come with plenty of rice, pidgin, memes, Davido jokes and political laughter.
For now, however, the ballot box has spoken — and Governor Ademola Adeleke has secured another four years in Osun State.
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