*President says poll outcome reflects people’s will, assurance democracy thriving under APC *Urges him to unite his people for growth, stability, socio-economic progress *Lauds INEC, security agencies for conducting a peaceful, transparent poll *Adeleke seeks post-election peace, promises to reinforce his strong points, correct errors Deji Elumoye, Chuks Okocha, Adedayo Akinwale, Sunday Aborisade in Abuja, Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo, Hammed Shittu in Ilorin, Sunday Ehigiator, Ayodeji Ake in Lagos, Onuminya Innocent in Sokoto, Ahmad Sorondinki in Kano and Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti President Bola Tinubu, yesterday, 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
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