Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has appealed for peace and unity in the state after his re-election victory in the elections held on Saturday.
The returning governor in his victory remarks, also extended an olive branch to his opponents, following weeks of pre-election violence and political tension.
Adeleke was declared winner of the poll by the Independent National Electoral Commission after polling 511,067 votes to defeat the APC candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, who scored 444,815 votes. The governor won 19 of the state’s 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji won 11.
INEC declared Adeleke the winner after he secured victory in 19 of the state’s 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji won in the remaining 11 council areas.
The declaration, made by the State Returning Officer, Prof Joshua Ogunwole, Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, came on Sunday, confirming Adeleke’s return for a second term in office.
Adeleke pledged to build on his achievements and correct his shortcomings, promising that Osun would witness accelerated development and improved governance under his renewed five-point agenda.
The governor also urged community leaders and traditional institutions to promote peace and prevent post-election attacks, while appealing to residents to forgive one another and restore communal harmony.
Addressing journalists after he was returned elected at the Saturday governorship election, Adeleke dedicated his victory to God and the people of Osun State, commending the resilience, the strong will and unwavering commitment to democracy of the people, promising not disappoint them.
“In this race, there is no victor, no vanquished. I extend an olive branch to my co-contestants. I am the Governor of all Osun people. My vision remains taking Osun from a civil service state to an industrial state and an investment destination,” he said.
“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.
The governor warned against post-election attacks on rivals, and demanded avoidance of counter-attacks due to past feud, urging forgiveness and restoration of communal love after weeks of gun attacks across the state.
While observing a minute silence for victims of pre-election violence, Adeleke tasked community leaders and traditional institutions to embark on peace-building in their communities as “the issues are settled by the grace of God and the people.”
“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,” the governor said.
Adeleke commended Tinubu for his support for a credible and peaceful election, describing the President as a son of Osun and reiterating his endorsement of his bid for re-election in 2027.
He added “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.”
(Ripples)
