Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has said his major challenger in the just-concluded governorship election, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), should be the one to call and congratulate him on his victory.

Adeleke made the remarks during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, shortly after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared him the winner of the election.

Adeleke speaks on contacting Oyebamiji

When asked whether he would reach out to Oyebamiji, Adeleke said it was the responsibility of the APC candidate to contact him first if he wanted to demonstrate sportsmanship.

The governor maintained that having defeated his opponent at the polls, he expected Oyebamiji to acknowledge the outcome and congratulate him on his victory.

“I am not the one who should reach out to him now because I am the one who won the election and I have been declared the winner.

“If he wants to be civilised, he is the one who should call me and say congratulations,” Adeleke stated.

Adeleke extends hand of fellowship

Despite his insistence that Oyebamiji should initiate the communication, Adeleke invited his opponent to collaborate with his administration and share ideas that could benefit the state.

“But at this moment, I am taking this opportunity on national television to extend my hand of fellowship and invite him to come forward and discuss with me.

“If you have any ideas, please share them and I will consider them. If the idea is beneficial, I will be eager to implement it; the priority is Osun State,” he added.

Adeleke plans reconciliation committee

Adeleke also said his administration would seek to mend the political divisions that characterised the campaign leading up to the election.

He revealed plans to form a reconciliation committee that would unite his political opponents and other stakeholders to work towards the development of the state.

“I will set up a reconciliation committee aimed at uniting the people of Osun. I will extend invitations to our opponents; if you have any suggestions, please present them so that we can collaborate and enhance Osun’s greatness,” the governor stated.

Adeleke wins second term

The Returning Officer for the election, Joshua Ogunwole, declared Adeleke the winner at the INEC Collation Centre in Osogbo in the early hours of Sunday.

The governor, who contested on the platform of the Accord Party, polled 511,067 votes to defeat Oyebamiji, who scored 444,815 votes. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Najeem Salaam, came third with 17,180 votes.

Adeleke won in 19 of Osun State’s 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji won 11.

The victory gives Adeleke another four-year term after he was first elected governor in 2022 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Oyebamiji yet to congratulate Adeleke

Adeleke’s comments came amid continued political tension following the election.

As of the time of the report, Oyebamiji had yet to congratulate Adeleke on his victory.

The APC in Osun said it was studying the results of the governorship election in each of the 332 wards across the state before deciding on its next line of action.

The party said the election could not be considered concluded without exploring all constitutionally permitted legal opportunities under the Electoral Act 2026, as amended.

Adeleke, however, said he was prepared to move beyond the political contest and work with his former opponent where such cooperation would benefit the people of Osun State.