Rauf Aregbesola, national secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has congratulated Ademola Adeleke, governor of Osun, on his re-election for a second term in office.
Adeleke was re-elected on Saturday in a keenly contested
governorship election where he defeated Bola Oyebamiji, candidate of the All
Progressives Congress (APC), Najeem Salaam, the ADC flagbearer, and 12 other
candidates.
Joshua Ogunwole, the state returning officer for the
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), said Adeleke secured 511,067
votes to defeat his two major challengers in 19 LGAs across the state.
Oyebamiji of the APC placed second with 444,815 votes, while
Salaam was a distant third with 17,180 votes.
Aregbesola, who is a former governor of Osun, backed Salaam,
the ADC candidate, and was heavily involved in his campaigns and rallies in the
build-up to the election.
‘DECISION OF OSUN PEOPLE MUST BE RESPECTED’
In a statement on Monday, Aregbesola said the decision of
Osun people must be respected following Adeleke’s victory.
“I congratulate Senator Ademola Adeleke on his re-election
as the Governor of Osun following the governorship election held on Saturday,
August 15, 2026,” the statement reads.
“Elections are moments when citizens exercise their
sovereign right to choose who they wish to entrust with the responsibility of
governing them.
“Now that the people of Osun have spoken through the ballot,
their decision must be respected. I therefore extend my best wishes to Governor
Adeleke as he prepares to commence another term in office.”
Aregbesola urged Adeleke to use his renewed mandate to unite
the state and deepen development.
“The task before the governor is now greater than the
contest that has just ended. I urge him to see the outcome as a renewed mandate
to unite the state, deepen development and govern with fairness, humility and a
strong sense of responsibility to every citizen, irrespective of political
affiliation,” he said.
The former governor commended Osun residents for
participating in the election and appealed to political actors, supporters and
citizens to allow the state to move forward in peace and unity.
Aregbesola further thanked members and supporters of the ADC
for their commitment to the party and Salaam throughout the election.
“I am particularly proud of your steadfastness, courage and
commitment throughout this journey,” he said.
“You stood firm, worked tirelessly and remained committed to
the ideals that brought us together, even in the face of enormous political
pressure and an intensely competitive electoral environment.”
He commended Salaam for the manner in which he conducted his
campaign and received the outcome of the election.
He noted that Salaam’s campaign represented the ADC’s
tradition and conviction that politics should be about ideas, competence,
character and service to the people.
“I commend him for the maturity with which he has received
the outcome of the election and for putting the peace and unity of Osun above
personal ambition,” Aregbesola said.
‘EXTEND HANDS OF FELLOWSHIP TO ALL’
Aregbesola urged ADC members and supporters to continue
contributing to the development of the state despite the outcome of the
election.
“This electoral journey may have produced a different
outcome from what we hoped and worked for, but our commitment to the future of
Osun must not end with an election,” he said.
According to him, democracy is strengthened when political
actors demonstrate the courage to compete vigorously, the humility and maturity
to accept the people’s decision and the wisdom to continue contributing to
society afterwards.
Aregbesola also urged Adeleke to extend the hand of
fellowship to all political tendencies.
“I urge Governor Adeleke to extend the hand of fellowship to
all political tendencies and to make the next chapter of his administration one
of greater inclusion, reconciliation and service to all,” he said.
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