Osun election: Adeleke seeks unity as APC considers tribunal

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has called for peace and unity following his re-election, while the All Progressives Congress is considering its legal options after losing Saturday’s governorship election.

The Independent National Electoral Commission declared Adeleke the winner after he secured 511,067 votes, defeating the APC candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, who polled 444,815 votes.

Adeleke won 19 of the state’s 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji won 11.

The governor, in his victory remarks, extended an olive branch to his opponents and pledged to work for the development of the state.

He urged residents, community leaders and traditional institutions to promote peace and prevent post-election violence.

Adeleke also promised to build on his achievements and address his shortcomings, saying his administration would pursue accelerated development under his renewed five-point agenda.

He said there was no victor or vanquished and described himself as the governor of all Osun residents.

Meanwhile, the Osun APC said it was studying the results from the 332 wards across the state before deciding whether to challenge the outcome at the tribunal.

The party said it would explore the legal avenues provided under the Electoral Act after consulting its lawyers, while urging its supporters to remain calm and avoid provocation.

The African Democratic Congress also congratulated Adeleke but called on INEC to explain an alleged interruption in the uploading of polling-unit results to the IReV portal during the election.

ADC candidate Najeem Salaam, who came third with 17,180 votes, also congratulated Adeleke and urged him to use his second term to address areas where his administration had fallen short.

President Bola Tinubu has also congratulated Adeleke, urging him to use his second term to unite the people of Osun State and govern inclusively regardless of political affiliation.

The President commended the candidates, INEC and security agencies for the conduct of what he described as a peaceful and transparent election.