Re-elected Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has disclosed that President Bola Tinubu called to congratulate him following his victory, after he polled 511,067 votes to defeat APC’s Bola Oyebamiji and ADC’s Najeem Salaam.

President Bola Tinubu gives Osun state governor Governor Adeleke a Handshake. Photo Credit: X @AAdeleke_01

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has revealed that President Bola Tinubu called and congratulated him shortly after he was declared winner of the August 15 governorship election.

Adeleke made the disclosure while speaking to journalists on Sunday after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared him winner of the election.

He thanked President Tinubu for congratulating him, saying the president had contributed to the sustenance of democracy.

“I feel great. First of all, I thank the God Almighty for what has happened today. It’s a victory for democracy in Nigeria,” And, of course, I want to seize the opportunity to thank Mr President. Mr President has called me, and he has congratulated me, and I thank you, Mr President, for making sure democracy lives on because you fought for it, Mr President,” the governor said.

President Tinubu and Governor Adeleke have maintained a pragmatic relationship despite belonging to rival political parties. Despite their political differences, both leaders have maintained a cordial relationship, with Adeleke making high-profile visits to Tinubu and the President engaging with the Osun governor.

Victory For Osun People, Olive Branch 

Adeleke speaking further said the result represented a victory for the people of Osun, who, according to him, had endorsed his administration’s performance in office.

“A victory for democracy. A victory for Osun people that stood by me and said, Imole, you have done a lot for us. You have given us the dividends of democracy in terms of infrastructure, improving our education, agriculture and so forth. So this is the Osun people saying, ‘Thank you, Mr Governor,’” he said.

The governor, who secured a second term after defeating his closest challenger, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said his administration would focus on transforming Osun from a civil service-dependent state into an industrial hub.

“I will repay that thank you by making sure that I have a vision. My vision is to make sure that Osun State moves from a civil servant state to an industrial state. I will make sure, all across Osun State, development is on. I love you all, Osun State,” Adeleke said.

Adeleke also extended an olive branch to his opponents, describing the election as a contest without a victor or vanquished.

“Yes, this is no victor, no vanquished. I want them to come over. I’m expecting Oyebanji, even as a civilised person, to call me and congratulate me,” he said.

Asked whether he had ever feared that the election could go against him, Adeleke replied: “No. I have a God. I have a God who never fails.”

Adeleke Wins Second Term

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State was first elected in 2022.

The Returning Officer for the Osun governorship election, Joshua Ogunwole, declared Adeleke the winner at the INEC Collation Centre in Osogbo in the early hours of Sunday.

Adeleke, who contested on the platform of the Accord Party, polled 511,067 votes to defeat Oyebamiji, who scored 444,815 votes. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Najeem Salaam, came third with 17,180 votes.

Adeleke won in 19 of Osun State’s 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji won 11.

The result gives Adeleke another four-year term after he was first elected governor in 2022 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

His re-election followed months of intense campaigning, political tension and heightened security across the state, with 15 political parties participating in the election.

Atiku, Obi Congratulate Adeleke

Atiku Abubakar, Ademola Adeleke and Peter Obi

The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, and former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, also congratulated Adeleke on his re-election.

The opposition leaders conveyed their messages in separate posts on X on Sunday, shortly after INEC declared Adeleke the winner.

Obi described the outcome as a victory for democracy and commended Osun voters for defending their mandate.

“Osun: When the People Stand, Democracy Wins,” Obi wrote.

He said Adeleke had earned a renewed mandate through his “commitment to the people, compassion for their needs, and the strength of his work and achievements in office”.

“The lesson from Osun is clear: democracy is strongest when citizens are alert, conscious of their civic responsibility, and determined to ensure that their votes count,” Obi added.

He urged Nigerians to remain active in the electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections and called on political actors to prioritise the interests of citizens while embracing peace, unity and the rule of law.

Atiku also congratulated Adeleke, saying the result reflected the choice of Osun voters at the ballot.

“I congratulate Governor Ademola Adeleke, @AAdeleke_01, on his re-election as Governor of Osun State.

“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. I wish Governor Adeleke continued success as he continues to serve them,” Atiku wrote.

Afrobeats singer David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, also celebrated his uncle’s victory shortly after the declaration.

Davido, who played a prominent role in Adeleke’s re-election campaign, posted on X: “WE DID IT UNC!!!”

The Grammy-nominated singer had been watching Channels Television’s live coverage of the results and waiting for the official declaration.

As the Returning Officer declared Adeleke the winner, Davido erupted in excitement, jumping up, kneeling and eventually lying on the floor in celebration, while members of his team joined him.

Davido served as Chairman of the Imole Youth Mobilisation Campaign Council and participated in rallies and grassroots mobilisation activities during the campaign.

The declaration triggered jubilation in several parts of Osun, particularly in Osogbo, the state capital, and Ede, Adeleke’s hometown, where supporters took to the streets singing and dancing.