President Bola Tinubu, on Saturday, congratulated Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, on his re-election for another term of four years following Saturday’s vote.
Tinubu, according to a release by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, spoke to the governor by telephone to rejoice with him and urge him to unite the people after a divisive electioneering process.
The president described Adeleke’s re-election as a fitting assurance that democracy would continue to flourish in Nigeria under the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration.
That was as Adeleke appealed for the restoration of peace and unity among Osun people to heal the wounds of the fierce pre-election process, promising to expand development, “widen the net of good governance,” and correct unintended errors.
Still in the mood of celebration after Saturday’s poll victory by the Accord party candidate, former President Olusegun Obasanjo paid a surprise congratulatory visit to Adeleke at Osogbo Sunday night.
Messages of congratulation also came from across the country, as prominent politicians, political parties, and civil society organisations hailed the vote and offered advice on and harmonious coexistence.
But APC said it was still studying the outcome of Saturday’s governorship election in the 332 wards of the state with a view to exploring constitutional windows of redress regarding “anomalies observed in the process”. It said this in a statement by Osun State APC Director of Media and Information, Mogaji Kola Olabisi.
Tinubu said, in his congratulatory statement, “I called Governor Ademola Adeleke earlier today to congratulate him on his election victory in Osun State. His victory once again confirmed the confidence the people of Osun State have in him. I wish him great success as he prepares to lead the state for the next four years.
“Now that he has won, Governor Adeleke must unite the people of Osun State and rally them for growth, stability, and social and economic progress, regardless of the political choices they made at the election.
“I salute the courage and discipline displayed by other contestants in the election. Their participation deepened and enriched our country’s democratic culture.
“The outcome of the election reflects the will of the people and is a fitting assurance that democracy will continue to flourish in our land.”
The president lauded the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the security agencies for conducting a peaceful and transparent election that produced a clear winner.
INEC had on Sunday morning declared Adeleke, the candidate of Accord Party, winner of the 2026 governorship election in Osun State.
Adeleke defeated his closest challenger, the APC candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, to secure a second term in office.
The declaration was made by State Returning Officer, Professor Joshua Ogunwole, Vice Chancellor, Federal University, Oye Ekiti, at the end of the collation of results from the 30 local government areas of the state.
According to the final results announced by INEC, Adeleke polled 511,067 votes, while Oyebamiji scored 444,815 votes.
The candidate of African Democratic Congress (ADC), Hon. Najeem Salaam, came third with 17,180 votes.
The election, conducted on Saturday, August 15, involved voters across the state’s 3,763 polling units.
Adeleke won in 19 out of the 30 local government areas in the state, while Oyebamiji won in 11.
The governor recorded victory in Boluwaduro, Ede South, Ife North, Ilesa West, Ifedayo, Ife Central, Orolu, Osogbo, Oriade, Odo-Otin, Ife East, Ifelodun, Iwo, Ede North, Ila, Ayedire, Egbedore, Ayedaade, and Ejigbo local government areas.
His closest challenger, Oyebamiji, secured victory in Ilesa East, Boripe, Obokun, Ife South, Irewole, Atakumosa East, Isokan, Olaoluwa, Olorunda, Atakumosa West, and Irepodun councils.
The contest was largely between Adeleke and Oyebamiji, while the 13 other candidates managed to secure a few votes in different parts of the state.
Ahead of the final declaration, results from hundreds of wards and thousands of polling units had shown a closely fought contest between the Accord and APC candidates.
Reports from the field indicated that Adeleke maintained lead as the collation progressed.
The election had been preceded by intense campaigns, political realignments, and heightened security concerns, with the two major contenders urging their supporters to remain calm and respect the electoral process.
The declaration marked the conclusion of one of the most closely watched governorship contests in Osun State in recent years, and the last off-cycle election before the nationwide general election next year.
Adeleke Seeks Post-poll Peace, Promises to Reinforce Strong Points Correct Errors
Adeleke called for restoration of peace and unity among Osun people to heal the wounds of pre-election violence, even as he promised to expand state development and widen the benefits of good governance.
Addressing the media after his election victory, the governor warned against post-election attacks on rivals and counter-attacks, urging forgiveness and restoration of communal love after weeks of bloody attacks across the state.
While observing a minute silence for victims of the pre-election violence, he tasked community leaders and traditional institutions to embark on peace building in their communities, saying “the issues are settled by the grace of God and people”.
The governor, who dedicated the victory to God and the people of Osun, commended the people’s resilience, strong will, and unwavering commitment to democracy, promising not to disappoint them.
He stated, “As you have trusted me with second term in office, I will reinforce my strong points and correct my errors.
“Osun will witness further accelerated development and growth under my renewed five-point agenda.”
Adeleke also commended Tinubu for supporting for a free and fair election, declaring, “Mr President is a son of Osun State, and I hereby reaffirm my earlier endorsement of him for a second term in the 2027 presidential election.
“To all lovers of democracy, I thank you for supporting our struggle. From home and abroad, the support is overwhelming. My faith in democracy is deepened.
“Most importantly, I thank the media for standing by us. The constant coverage in support of democracy emboldened us. We are grateful. Osun State is on the march again. We shall expand development, and widen the net of good governance,
“In this race, there is no victor, no vanquished. I extend olive branch to my co-contestants. I am the governor of all Osun people.”
Adeleke declared, “My vision remains taking Osun from a civil service state to an industrial state and an investment destination.”
APC: We’re Studying Devt to Know Next Line of Action, We Solicit Police Protection
The Osun State chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) said the leadership of the party was still studying the results of the governorship election in each of the 332 wards across the state with a view to exploring further the allowed constitutional window of opportunity for contesting alleged irregularities.
In a statement issued by Osun State APC Director of Media and Information, Mogaji Kola Olabisi, the party said, “We are not unaware of the fact that election is a process which begins at the registration of the voters through the primary election to the election proper, which extends to the Tribunal, the appeal court and terminates at the Supreme Court.
“An election cannot be said to have been concluded without having explored all these constitutionally allowed legal opportunity to correct anomalies observed in the process of the election as enshrined in the Electoral Act 2026 as amended.”
APC added, “We commend the steadfastness, sagacity and loyalty of the numerous members and supporters of our party for their contributions in getting to this juncture in the political history of the state.
“We make bold to state categorically that as a progressive party, which is founded on the unalloyed principle of the rule of law, fairness and justice, we shall not hesitate without further delay to explore the window allowed by the extant Electoral Act after the due consultation with the team of our lawyers based on their professional advice.”
The party said, “The new development is a beauty of democracy with reference to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s declared governorship election results in the state which would not propel us to deviate from embracing the culture of the rule of law.
“As a result of the foregoing, we are imploring our ever loyal members and supporters to remain cool and calm while they carry on with their businesses and refuse to respond to any provocative action or inaction from any of the members of the ruling party across the state.”
APC stated, “It is necessary to assure our members and supporters not to despair about the current situation and have it in mind that it is not over until it is over.
“While we are appealing to the Nigeria Police Force to come to the aid and rescue of our members and supporters who are being needlessly molested by the ruling party, we are assuring them that we won’t have any cause or reason to abandon them.
“The current situation in the political history of the state is a passing phase which will soon become part of history, as justice shall be done accordingly.”
Atiku: Osun Poll Forerunner of 2027 Polls
Presidential candidate of African Democratic Congress (ADC), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, described the Osun election as a forerunner of the 2027 general election.
Atiku congratulated Governor Ademola Adeleke and the voters in Osun State for the successful conduct of the governorship election.
In a press statement by his media office, the former vice president said the outcome of the election was a reflection of the democratic wishes of the people of Osun State.
He particularly expressed his satisfaction with the manner in which the Osun State voters came out in good numbers and resisted all anti-democratic machinations aimed at undermining the democratic process during the election.
He stated, “The outcome of last Saturday’s gubernatorial election in Osun State is an expression of the wishes of the people, which has earned Governor Adeleke his re-election.
“The lesson from the election is that the voters in Osun State have set a good example of how we must come out in large numbers in the general elections next year.
“Another important lesson from the Osun election is that it is a clear manifestation of how the collective resolve of the electorate to stand firm to protect their ballot is the best antidote to rigging, vote buying and other electoral malpractice and irregularities.”
Atiku said, “Nigerians have roundly rejected the APC. The election in Osun State is just a telling indication that the APC will be defeated in the general election in January 2027. Indeed, it is a forerunner of the 2027 general elections.
“I specifically thank Governor Adeleke for mobilising the people of Osun State to stand firm in the face of state-sponsored intimidation and for leading the country into the path of the total defeat of the APC.”
Abbas: It’s Proof Tinubu is True Democrat
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, congratulated Governor Ademola Adeleke on his re-election for a second term, saying it proves that President Bola Tinubu is a true democrat.
Abbas, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Krishi, said the Accord Party had only proved that democracy thrived under Tinubu.
He added that Nigerians should expect more credibility in the forthcoming 2027 general election.
The speaker stated that APC under Tinubu had allowed opposition parties to test their popularity in free and fair elections, as witnessed in Osun State.
He urged Adeleke to justify the mandate given to him by the Osun people and let it translate into dividends of democracy for them.
Tambuwal: This Proves Democracy is Working
The senator for Sokoto South Senatorial District, Aminu Tambuwal, congratulated Adeleke on his re-election as Governor of Osun State, describing the poll outcome as a clear victory for democracy.
In a congratulatory message by his media office, posted on his official X account, Tambuwal said the renewed mandate reflected the resolve of the people of Osun to choose their leaders through the ballot.
“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 stated.
The former speaker of the House of Representatives stated that the election underscored the importance of credible polls in deepening Nigeria’s democratic culture.
He said, “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.”
Tambuwal commended the electorate in Osun State for their peaceful conduct and high level of participation during the governorship election. He said their commitment demonstrated faith in the democratic process.
He also congratulated Adeleke for earning the trust of Osun people for a second term, saying the result is a testament to the governor’s connection with the grassroots.
Obi: When People Stand, Democracy Wins
Presidential candidate of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, described Adeleke’s re-election as a significant victory for democracy, declaring, “When the people stand, democracy wins.”
Obi, in a statement by his spokesperson, Idris Zekeri Jnr, and titled, “Osun: When the People Stand, Democracy Wins,” congratulated Adeleke on his renewed mandate. Obi said the outcome demonstrated the power of the people to determine who governs them.
He said the people of Osun had “spoken with courage and clarity”, reaffirming that the constitutional power to choose their leaders ultimately belongs to the electorate.
Obi said Adeleke’s victory reflected the governor’s commitment to the people, compassion for their needs, and the strength of his performance and achievements in office.
Obi reserved special commendation for the youth of Osun State, whom he credited with courageously and peacefully defending their democratic mandate.
He said their vigilance and determination demonstrated that “when citizens stand firmly to protect their votes, the forces of good can overcome the forces of darkness”.
The former Anambra State governor said the major lesson from the Osun election was that democracy could only thrive when citizens remained alert, understood their civic responsibilities, and were determined to ensure that their votes counted.
“Every genuine vote must be respected and every lawful mandate upheld,” he stressed.
Looking ahead to the 2027 general election, Obi urged Nigerians to remain informed, participate actively in the electoral process, vote, and, most importantly, protect their votes.
He stated, “The people are the ones experiencing hunger, deprivation, insecurity and hardship. Therefore, they hold the power through their votes to bring about the change necessary to address these challenges.”
Deji Elumoye, Chuks Okocha, Adedayo Akinwale, Sunday Aborisade in Abuja, Yinka Kolawole, Hammed Shittu, Sunday Ehigiator, Ayodeji Ake, Onuminya Innocent, Ahmad Sorondinki, and Gbenga Sodeinde
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