President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Ademola Adeleke on his re-election as Osun State governor, saying the result demonstrates the choice of the electorates and reinforces confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Returning Officer, Prof. Joshua Olalekan-Ogunwole on Sunday, said that Adeleke of Accord Party polled a total votes of 511,067.
Adeleke to defeat his closest opponent, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Oyebamiji who scored 44,815 while Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) was at distant third with 17,180 votes.
Tinubu’s reaction came on Sunday after INEC declared Adeleke, winner of the August 15 governorship election.
In a statement issued by his Senior Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President disclosed that he had personally called Adeleke to congratulate him.
“I called Adeleke earlier today to congratulate him on his election victory in Osun State. His victory once again confirmed the confidence the people of Osun have in him,” Tinubu said.
The President, however, tasked Adeleke with extending his administration beyond the political divisions, exposed during the campaign, urging him to unite residents irrespective of how they voted.
“I wish him great success as he prepares to lead the state for the next four years. Now that he has won, he 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,” he said.
Tinubu also commended the other candidates for participating in the election, saying their involvement contributed to the country’s democratic development.
“I salute the courage and discipline displayed by other contestants in the election. Their participation deepened and enriched our country’s democratic culture,” the President said.
He added that the outcome demonstrated the supremacy of voters in the electoral process.
“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,” he said.
Tinubu further praised the INEC and security agencies for what he described as a peaceful and transparent process that produced a clear winner.
Adeleke won 19 of Osun’s 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji won 11. Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress came third with 17,180 votes.
The result secures Adeleke another four years in office after he won the governorship election in 2022 on the PDP platform before switching to Accord for the 2026 contest.
Earlier on Sunday, Adeleke had acknowledged Tinubu’s congratulatory call and reaffirmed his support for the President’s bid for a second term in 2027, describing him as a son of Osun State.