Osun Election Shows Nigeria’s Democracy Is Growing – President Tinubu

By Saheed Olatunji, Reporter

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared that the outcome of Saturday’s Osun State governorship election shows that Nigeria’s democracy is growing.

In a statement yesterday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President said Governor Ademola Adeleke’s victory confirmed the confidence the people of Osun State reposed in him.

Adeleke, the Accord candidate, polled 511,067 votes to defeat his closest rival, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who got 444,815 votes.

Results of the 2026 Osun Stats Election

President Tinubu, who phoned to congratulate the re-elected Governor Adeleke hours before he was declared winner, said in a statement that the outcome of the keenly contested poll demonstrated a fitting assurance that democracy would continue to survive in the country.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Returning Officer, Prof. Joshua Olalekan Ogunwole, declared Adeleke winner at 7.49 am yesterday.

The statement reads: “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.”

He wished Adeleke success as he prepares for another four years in office, but charged him to show magnanimity in victory by reaching out across the political divides and unite the state behind a common agenda of development.

The President said: “I wish him great success as he prepares to lead the state for the next four years. 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.”

Tinubu also hailed the other candidates for their conduct during the election, saying their participation strengthened the country’s democratic culture.

He said: “I salute the courage and discipline displayed by other contestants in the election. Their participation deepened and enriched our 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.”

The President commended INEC and security agencies for conducting what he described as a peaceful and transparent election that produced a clear winner.

Exactly 2,339,544 voters were registered, while 1,010,684 were accredited. A total of 985,079 valid votes were recorded.

Adeleke won in 19 out of the 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji took the remaining 11.

The governor prevailed in Boluwaduro, Ede South, Ife North, Ilesa West, Ifedayo, Ife Central, Orolu, Osogbo, Oriade, Odo-Otin, Ife East, Ifelodun, Iwo, Ede North, Ila, Aiyedire, Egbedore, Aiyedaade and Ejigbo local government areas.

Oyebamiji won in Ilesa East, Boripe, Irepodun, Obokun, Atakunmosa West, Irewole, Atakunmosa East, Isokan, Ola Oluwa, Ife South and Olorunda local government areas.

On the eve of the election, the President charged INEC to ensure a transparent, free and fair poll and directed security agencies to provide maximum security for voters and electoral officials.

He had also stressed that the outcome of the election must reflect the will of the people.

He urged Osun residents to turn out peacefully and vote for candidates of their choice.

In the run-up to the election, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) froze a major account of the state government, but the President, who declared that he was embarrassed by the timing of the action, directed the anti-graft agency to return to court and lift the order authorising the account freeze.

After he was declared victorious, Governor Adeleke thanks voters, and reaffirmed his support for President Tinubu’s re-election.

He commended the Tinubu for his commitment to free, fair and credible elections.

He also appealed for the restoration of peace and unity among Osun people to heal the wounds of pre-election violence, promising to expand state development and widen the net of good governance in his second term.

Addressing reporters after his victory was declared, the governor warned against post-election attacks on rivals and cautioned against counter-attacks over old wounds.

He called for forgiveness and restoration of communal love after weeks of gun attacks across the state in the run-up to the keenly contested election.

Observing a minute’s silence for victims of the pre-election violence, the re-elected governor tasked community leaders and traditional institutions to embark on peace-building in their communities as “the issues are settled by the grace of God and people”.

The governor, who dedicated the victory to God and the people of Osun State, lauded their resilience, strong will and unwavering commitment to democracy, promising not to disappoint them.

He said: “As you have trusted me with a second term in office, I will reinforce my strong points and correct my errors.

“Osun will witness further accelerated development and growth under my renewed five-point agenda.”

The governor hailed the President for his strong support for a free and fair election.

He declared: “Mr President is a son of Osun State, and I hereby reaffirm my earlier endorsement of him for a second term in the 2027 presidential election.

“To all lovers of democracy, I thank you for supporting our struggle. From home and abroad, the support is overwhelming. My faith in democracy is deepened.

“Most importantly, I thank the media for standing by us. The constant coverage in support of democracy emboldened us. We are grateful. Osun State is on the march again. We shall expand development, and widen the net of good governance.

“In this race, there is no victor, no vanquished. I extend an olive branch to my co-contestants. I am the governor of all Osun people.

“My vision remains taking Osun from a civil service state to an industrial state and an investment destination,” Adeleke promised.