Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for his role in the August 15 governorship election, while calling on his closest challenger, Bola Oyebamiji, to congratulate him on his victory.
Adeleke made the remarks in a video shared by News Central on Sunday, shortly after the Independent National Electoral Commission announced him as the winner of the poll.
Asked if he would reconcile with other candidates after the election, the governor said the contest should not leave room for bitterness, stressing that there was neither a winner nor a loser.
“Yes. This is no victor, no vanquished. I want them to come over. I am expecting Oyebamiji to even, as a civilised person, to call me and congratulate me,” he said.
The governor also acknowledged Tinubu’s congratulatory call, praising the President for what he described as his contribution to sustaining democracy.
“And of course, I want to seize this 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,” he said.
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The State Returning Officer, Prof. Joshua Ogunwole, Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, declared Adeleke the winner at about 7:24 am on Sunday.
The Accord Party candidate secured 511,067 votes, defeating Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress, who polled 444,815 votes.
Adeleke carried 19 of the state’s 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji won in 11. The African Democratic Congress candidate, Najeem Salam, finished third with 17,180 votes.
The victory gives Adeleke another four years in office after his election as governor in 2022 under the Peoples Democratic Party. He contested the 2026 election on the platform of the Accord Party.
Speaking about his confidence before the result was announced, Adeleke said his faith had kept him assured of victory.
“No, no, no. You know, I have an answer to that. I have a God who never fails. I have a God who never fails. I have a God who never fails. He never fails. Jesus never fails forevermore,” he said.