By President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated Governor Ademola Adeleke on his re-election victory in Saturday’s Osun State governorship election, describing the outcome as a fitting assurance that democracy will continue to flourish in Nigeria, even though Adeleke’s Accord Party defeated the president’s own APC in the contest.
In a statement issued Sunday, Tinubu said he personally called Adeleke to congratulate him shortly after the result was announced, adding that the governor’s victory “once again confirmed the confidence the people of Osun State have in him.” He wished Adeleke success over the next four years and charged him to unite Osun residents for growth and stability “regardless of the political choices they made at the election.”
The president also saluted the “courage and discipline” of the other contestants in the race, saying their participation deepened the country’s democratic culture, and commended the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies for what he described as a peaceful and transparent election that produced a clear winner. He closed the statement with a prayer for Nigeria’s democracy to continue to thrive.
“There Is No Victor, No Vanquished” — Adeleke
In his own victory statement, Adeleke said he was “deeply humbled and grateful to God and the good people of Osun State” for entrusting him with a second term, describing the win as belonging to the people and crediting their “resilience, courage and unwavering commitment to democracy.”
The governor appealed to Osun residents to embrace peace, forgiveness and unity as the state moves past the election, declaring “there is no victor, no vanquished” and extending what he called an olive branch to his co-contestants, stating that he remained “Governor of all.”
In a notable passage, Adeleke asked for a minute of silence in honour of victims of what he called “needless pre-election violence,” and urged traditional rulers, community leaders and other stakeholders to lead a healing and reconciliation process across Osun communities. The remarks come after a campaign season marked by a fatal cult-related clash in Ilesa, viral videos alleging incitement against his party’s members, and a string of election-day flashpoints across the state.
Looking ahead, Adeleke pledged to build on his first term’s achievements, correct shortcomings, and continue what he described as efforts to transform Osun “from a civil service state into an industrial state and a preferred investment destination.” He thanked Tinubu for supporting a free and fair election and commended local and international observers and the media for standing by the democratic process.
A Notable Cross-Party Congratulation
Tinubu’s congratulatory message stands out for coming from the leader of the very party, the APC, that Adeleke’s Accord Party defeated in Saturday’s poll, with APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji finishing second after winning 11 of the state’s 30 local government areas. The president’s statement made no direct mention of Oyebamiji’s showing.
