Adeleke Thanks Tinubu After Osun Victory, Awaits Oyebamiji’s Congratulatory Call!

Reported by Musa Antiketu,| Journalist at Obaland magazine.

OSOGBO — Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu following his re-election in the August 15, 2026 governorship election, saying he expects his closest challenger, All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate Bola Oyebamiji, to congratulate him.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Adeleke, the Accord Party candidate, winner of the election after he secured 511,067 votes, defeating Oyebamiji, who polled 444,815 votes. Adeleke won in 19 of the state’s 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji prevailed in 11.

Adeleke’s victory gives him a second term as governor of Osun State, following his initial election in 2022.

In his post-election remarks, the governor acknowledged Tinubu’s role in the electoral process and expressed appreciation for what he described as the President’s contribution to sustaining democratic procedures in the state.

The development is particularly notable given the intense political contest between Adeleke and Oyebamiji during the election campaign. The two camps exchanged allegations over security, political violence, electoral integrity and the alleged use of federal influence in the state.

However, Adeleke’s post-election comments point toward an expectation of political reconciliation following the conclusion of the poll.

The governor said he expected Oyebamiji, his principal opponent, to place a congratulatory call after the declaration of the result. The expectation comes against the backdrop of earlier calls from political actors and civil society groups for contestants to accept the outcome peacefully and preserve the stability of Osun State.

Reports by PUNCH, Channels Television and other Nigerian media confirmed Adeleke’s victory and his subsequent appreciation of President Tinubu. PUNCH reported that Adeleke specifically said he expected Oyebamiji to call and congratulate him, while Channels Television reported that Adeleke said Tinubu had already called to congratulate him following the election.

An additional statement from the Imole Campaign Council’s spokesperson, Pelumi Olajengbesi, said Tinubu had congratulated Adeleke even before INEC formally announced the result. That claim was separately reported by PUNCH, Vanguard and The Nigerian Tribune.

The election itself was not without challenges. Reports during the exercise documented isolated incidents of violence, alleged vote-buying and technical difficulties involving the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS). PUNCH also reported sporadic shooting around a collation centre in Osogbo during the results process.

Despite those incidents, the final result established Adeleke as the winner and secured his continuation in office. His margin over Oyebamiji stood at 66,252 votes, according to the announced figures.

For Osun State, attention now shifts from campaigning and electoral competition to governance. With the election concluded, the renewed mandate places expectations on Adeleke to consolidate his administration’s policies, address concerns raised during the campaign and govern beyond party lines.

The anticipated congratulatory gesture from Oyebamiji could also carry significance beyond personal political courtesy. A peaceful acceptance of the electoral outcome by the major contestants would reinforce democratic norms in Osun and contribute to political stability ahead of Nigeria’s broader 2027 electoral cycle.

For Obaland magazine, the post-election moment is best viewed not merely through the lens of victory and defeat, but through the responsibilities that follow the ballot. The electorate has spoken; the immediate challenge for political leaders is to respect the outcome, protect democratic institutions and translate electoral mandates into tangible improvements in the lives of citizens.

Sources

1. PUNCH Newspapers
2. Channels Television
3. Channels Television
4. Vanguard

Osun Governor Ademola Adeleke thanks President Bola Tinubu after winning the 2026 governorship election and says he expects APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji to congratulate him.