By Aaron Ossai
President Bola Tinubu and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar have congratulated Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on his re-election, describing the outcome of Saturday’s governorship election as a reflection of the will of the people.
Adeleke, the candidate of the Accord Party was declared winner of the election on Sunday morning following an overnight collation of results in Osogbo, the state capital.
It would be recalled that the state Returning Officer for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joshua Ogunwole, announced that Adeleke polled 511,067 votes to defeat his closest challenger in the keenly contested election.
Reacting to the result, Tinubu said Adeleke’s victory reaffirmed the confidence the people of Osun had in him and described the outcome as an assurance that democracy would continue to flourish in the country.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President said he had called Adeleke to congratulate him on his victory.
“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,” Tinubu said.
The President urged Adeleke to use his renewed mandate to unite the people of the state and pursue policies that would promote growth, stability and socio-economic development.
“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 said.
Tinubu also commended the other contestants for their participation, saying their involvement strengthened the 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,” he added.
The President further praised the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC and security agencies for what he described as a peaceful and transparent electoral process that produced a clear winner.
On his part, former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar congratulated Adeleke, saying the result demonstrated the choice of Osun voters as expressed through the ballot box.
In a post on X, the former vice-president also commended residents of the state for their participation and peaceful conduct throughout the election.
“I congratulate Governor Ademola Adeleke, @AAdeleke_01, on his re-election as Governor of Osun State,” Atiku wrote.
“His victory demonstrates the choice of the people of Osun as expressed at the ballot box. I commend the people for their passion and peaceful participation.”
Atiku wished Adeleke success as he begins another term in office, while calling attention to the peaceful participation of the electorate.
The election was closely watched as a major test of the strength of democratic institutions and the ability of the electoral process to reflect voters’ choices.
With the declaration of Adeleke as winner, attention is expected to shift to governance and the implementation of his campaign promises as he prepares to begin his second term in office.
Similarly, former Governor of Sokoto State and Senator representing Sokoto South, Aminu Tambuwal, has congratulated Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on his re-election, describing the outcome as a victory for democracy and the people of the state.
Tambuwal, in a congratulatory message posted on his X account on Sunday, said Adeleke’s renewed mandate demonstrated the power of the electorate to freely determine who leads them through the ballot.
