By Ayomide Otitoju
Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has disclosed that President Bola Tinubu called to congratulate him shortly after he was declared winner of the August 15 governorship election.
Adeleke made the disclosure while speaking with journalists on Sunday after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced the result.
The governor thanked Tinubu for the gesture, saying the President had contributed to the sustenance of democracy in Nigeria.
“I feel great. First of all, I thank Almighty God for what has happened today. It’s a victory for democracy in Nigeria,” Adeleke said.
He added, “I want to seize the opportunity to thank Mr President. Mr President has called me, and he has congratulated me. I thank you, Mr President, for making sure democracy lives on because you fought for it.”
Tinubu and Adeleke belong to rival political parties but have maintained a cordial relationship, with the Osun governor making official visits to the President and both leaders publicly engaging on matters concerning the state and country.
Adeleke Extends Olive Branch
Adeleke described his victory as a triumph for the people of Osun, saying voters had endorsed his administration’s performance.
He cited developments in infrastructure, education and agriculture as areas where his administration had delivered what he described as dividends of democracy.
The governor pledged to use his second term to transform Osun from a civil service-dependent state into an industrial hub.
“I will repay that thank you by making sure that I have a vision. My vision is to make sure that Osun State moves from a civil servant state to an industrial state,” he said.
Adeleke also extended an olive branch to his opponents, saying there was no victor or vanquished in the election.
“Yes, this is no victor, no vanquished. I want them to come over,” he said, while expressing hope that his closest challenger, Bola Oyebamiji, would congratulate him.
Asked whether he had feared losing the election, Adeleke replied: “No. I have a God. I have a God who never fails.”
Adeleke Wins 19 LGAs
INEC Returning Officer Joshua Ogunwole declared Adeleke the winner at the commission’s Collation Centre in Osogbo in the early hours of Sunday.
Adeleke, who contested under the Accord Party, polled 511,067 votes to defeat Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who secured 444,815 votes.
Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) finished third with 17,180 votes.
Adeleke won in 19 of the state’s 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji won 11.
The result gives Adeleke another four-year term after he was first elected governor in 2022 under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The election followed months of intense campaigning, political tension and heightened security, with 15 political parties participating.
Atiku, Obi Congratulate Adeleke
Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Atiku Abubakar, and former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi also congratulated Adeleke.
Obi described the result as a victory for democracy and commended Osun voters for defending their mandate.
He said Adeleke had earned a renewed mandate through his commitment to the people and his record in office.
Obi urged Nigerians to remain active in the electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections and called on political actors to prioritise citizens’ interests, peace, unity and the rule of law.
Atiku said Adeleke’s victory reflected the choice of Osun voters at the ballot box and commended them for their peaceful participation.
Davido Celebrates Uncle’s Victory
Afrobeats singer David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, also celebrated his uncle’s re-election.
The Grammy-nominated singer, who played a prominent role in Adeleke’s campaign, posted on X: “WE DID IT UNC!!!”
Davido had been following Channels Television’s live coverage of the results before the official declaration.
As the Returning Officer announced Adeleke as the winner, Davido celebrated by jumping, kneeling and eventually lying on the floor, while members of his team joined him.
He served as Chairman of the Imole Youth Mobilisation Campaign Council and participated in rallies and grassroots mobilisation during the campaign.
The declaration triggered celebrations in several parts of Osun, particularly Osogbo, the state capital, and Ede, Adeleke’s hometown, where supporters took to the streets to celebrate the victory.
