President Bola Tinubu on Sunday congratulated Governor Adenike Adeleke on his re-election victory, describing the outcome as a reflection of the confidence the people of Osun State have in the governor.
Tinubu, who said he personally called the governor to congratulate him, urged him to use his second term to unite the people of the state and work with residents regardless of their political affiliations.
In a statement signed Sunday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President said he personally called Adeleke to congratulate him following the declaration of results.
“I called Governor Ademola Adeleke earlier today (Sunday) 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,” the President said.
Tinubu wished the governor success as he begins a fresh four-year term and charged him to govern inclusively, regardless of how residents voted.
He said, “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,” he advised.
The president also commended the other candidates, including Oyebamiji and the African Democratic Congress candidate, Najeem Salaam, for what he described as their courage and discipline throughout the electoral process.
He said, “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.”
Tinubu commended INEC and security agencies for conducting what he described as a peaceful and transparent election that produced a clear winner, a day after he had personally called on both institutions to guarantee maximum protection for voters and electoral officials ahead of the poll.
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.
(Ripples)