By Kazeem Ugbodaga

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke on his re-election, while urging him to use his renewed mandate to unite the state and pursue growth, stability and economic progress.

Tinubu made the call after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Adeleke the winner of Saturday’s governorship election, saying the outcome reflected the confidence Osun voters placed in the governor.

The President said Adeleke’s victory was a “fitting assurance” that democracy would continue to flourish in Nigeria, and expressed confidence that the governor would use his second term to advance the interests of all residents of the state.

“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 in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Sunday.

Beyond congratulating Adeleke, the President placed a clear responsibility before the governor: to move beyond the political divisions exposed during the election and bring the people together around a common development agenda.

Tinubu urged Adeleke to “unite the people of Osun State and rally them for growth, stability, and social and economic progress,” regardless of how residents voted during the election.

The President also commended the other candidates who contested the election, praising what he described as the courage and discipline they displayed throughout the electoral process.

According to Tinubu, the participation of the contestants contributed to Nigeria’s democratic culture, while the outcome represented the will of the electorate.

He further commended the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies for what he described as a peaceful and transparent election that produced a clear winner.

Tinubu’s congratulatory message is particularly notable given that Adeleke contested the election on the platform of the Accord Party against the APC’s Bola Oyebamiji.

The President had, ahead of the election, charged INEC and security agencies to ensure a peaceful, free and fair poll, describing the Osun election as an important test of electoral preparedness ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Adeleke emerged victorious after polling 511,067 votes, according to the results announced by INEC from the 30 local government areas, against Oyebamiji’s 444,814 votes. The margin was 66,253 votes.

The result gave Adeleke victory in 19 local government areas, while Oyebamiji won 11.