The spokesperson for the Imole Campaign Council, Pelumi Olajengbesi, has disclosed that President Bola Tinubu congratulated Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on his re-election before the Independent National Electoral Commission formally announced the result.
Olajengbesi made the disclosure on Sunday shortly after INEC declared Adeleke the winner of the August 15 governorship election in Osun State.
He commended Tinubu for what he described as his commitment to ensuring a peaceful, free and credible election, saying the President’s conduct demonstrated that politics should not be treated as a do-or-die affair.
“Even before the election results were announced, Mr President called Governor Adeleke and congratulated him on his victory,” Olajengbesi said.
He added that Tinubu had earlier directed the police and other security agencies to maintain professionalism and neutrality during the election.
According to him, the Imole Campaign Council welcomed the directive because of its importance to protecting voters and preserving the credibility of the electoral process.
“We are appreciative of Mr President because, at the commencement of this election, Mr President announced to the world and informed the Independent National Electoral Commission that the poll should be credible, and we agree that the election was credible, free and fair,” he said.
Olajengbesi also described Adeleke’s victory as a reflection of the wishes of the people of Osun State, praising the governor for what he called his performance in office.
“I am super excited. This is the manifestation of God and the will of the people of Osun State. This election has clearly shown that Governor Ademola Adeleke is the man of the people,” he said.
He alleged that the governor faced intimidation and harassment during the election period but maintained that voters ultimately renewed his mandate.
“This is proof that the people of Osun State are determined to elect a leader who is willing to serve them,” Olajengbesi added.
The State Returning Officer, Prof Joshua Ogunwole, declared Adeleke the winner at about 7:24am on Sunday at the INEC headquarters in Osogbo.
Adeleke, who contested on the platform of the Accord Party, secured 511,067 votes, defeating the All Progressives Congress candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, who polled 444,815 votes.
Adeleke won in 19 of the state’s 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji won 11. The African Democratic Congress candidate, Najeem Salaam, finished third.
The election marked Adeleke’s return for a second term after he left the Peoples Democratic Party, under which he won the 2022 election, to contest the 2026 poll on the Accord platform.
Olajengbesi further said Adeleke had urged his supporters to reject vote-buying and commended voters for remaining supportive of the governor.
However, allegations of vote-buying and other electoral offences have emerged following the election.
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has called on INEC, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to investigate alleged vote-buying, financial inducement, illegal election financing, voter intimidation, violence and other infractions linked to the poll.
