It was jubilation galore in many areas of Osun state on Sunday, immediately the incumbent governor of the state, Senator Ademola Jackson Adeleke, was declared winner of the Saturday’s gubernatorial election.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) through the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Joshua Ogunwole declared Adeleke the winner after the collation of results from the 30 local government areas of the state.
In Osogbo township and Ede Town in particular, supporters and residents took to the streets to celebrate the outcome of the election. The song of “Owo wogbo o; owo wogbo: N50,000, owo wogbo” continued to rent the air as many danced with excitement that APC eventually lost the election in spite of the vote buying that pervaded the state.
Some residents were seen waving the flags of the Accord Party, under which Adeleke contested the election, while others chanted solidarity songs in support of the governor. Many on motorcades drive round the streets in frenzy, shouting “Imole”. To many, the N50,000 dished out to woo the electorate into voting for the APC, failed, as loyalists still voted for Adeleke.
In some areas, motorists honked their horns as residents gathered along major roads and streets to express their excitement over the declaration.
The atmosphere was particularly lively in parts of Osogbo, Ede, Owode, Sekona, Akoda, Ife with groups of Adeleke supporters celebrating the governor’s return for another term in office.
Some residents described the outcome as a reflection of the choice of the electorate, urging the governor to use his second term to consolidate his achievements and address issues affecting the people of the state.
The celebrations continued in different locations with residents calling for peace and unity across the state. The victory brings to an end the keenly contested governorship election, which featured candidates from several political parties, including the All Progressives Congress (APC), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord and other parties.
As celebrations spread across the state, residents also urged the governor and other political actors to put the election behind them and work together for the development of Osun State.
Meanwhile, the victorious governor has thanked God and the Osun Voters for supporting him, while urging the APC candidate, Oyebamiji to congratulate him.
While describing the outcome as a triumph for democracy and a reward for his administration’s achievements, Adeleke said the victory reflected the confidence reposed in his administration by the people of Osun State. He expressed gratitude to God for what he described as a successful election, while attributing his victory to the people’s appreciation of his administration’s interventions in infrastructure, healthcare, security and other sectors.
“I thank God Almighty for this victory. It’s a victory for democracy. Victory for Osun election. The victory is a way Osun people are repaying me for the infrastructural developments, health, security and other things I have delivered for my people”, he said.
Adeleke also commended President Bola Tinubu for his role in ensuring the successful conduct of the election, revealing that the President had personally called to congratulate him on his victory.
“I want to seize this opportunity to thank Mr President. Mr President has called me and he has congratulated me. Thank you Mr President for making sure democracy lives on because you fought for it,” he said.
The governor, in a conciliatory message after the keenly contested election, declared that there was no victor or vanquished, while expressing hope that his major challenger and candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Oyebamiji, would accept the outcome and congratulate him.
“It’s no victor, no vanquish. I am expecting the APC candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, to call me and congratulate me,” Adeleke said.
He also attributed his success at the poll to his faith in God, declaring: “I have a God who never fails.”
INEC had earlier declared Adeleke the winner of the election after he secured 511,067 votes to defeat Oyebamiji, who polled 444,815 votes. The governor won in 19 of the state’s 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji secured victory in the remaining 11 local government areas.
The outcome gives Adeleke another mandate to lead the state and marks the conclusion of a closely contested election that attracted significant political interest across Osun.
