By Ajibola Olaide, JKNewsMedia Reporter
OSOGBO, OSUN State: Ademola Adeleke has been re-elected governor of Osun State for a second term after defeating Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Saturday’s governorship election, as President Bola Tinubu congratulated him on the victory.
JKNewsMedia.com reports that the State Returning Officer, Prof. Joshua Ogunwole, Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, declared Adeleke winner at about 7:24 a.m. on Sunday following an overnight collation of results in Osogbo, the state capital.
Adeleke, who contested on the platform of the Accord, polled 511,067 votes to defeat Oyebamiji, who secured 444,815 votes. Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress came third with 17,180 votes.
The incumbent governor won in 19 of the state’s 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji secured victories in 11.
The election was held amid apprehension following reports of violence and attacks in the days leading to the poll.
Although election-day violence was reported to have been minimal, there were incidents of journalist harassment and disruptions to voting in some areas.
Voting started early in most parts of the state, but glitches involving the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System delayed the process in several polling units.
There were also documented cases of vote-buying and allegations of voter intimidation in parts of the state.
Tinubu Phones Adeleke
President Tinubu, in a statement issued on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said he had called Adeleke to congratulate him on his re-election.
“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,” Tinubu 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.”
The President also commended the other contestants for their participation in the election.
“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,” he said.
Tinubu also commended the INEC and the security agencies for what he described as a peaceful and transparent election that produced a clear winner.
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