The Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji, has congratulated the Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, on his re-election for another term in office following his victory in the August 15, 2026, governorship election.
Adeleke, the candidate of the Accord Party, was declared winner of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the early hours of Sunday.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Yinka Oyebode, and made available to journalists on Sunday, Oyebanji described Adeleke’s victory as a reflection of the choice of the majority of voters in Osun State.
The Ekiti governor congratulated Adeleke on his electoral victory and urged him to be magnanimous in victory by reaching out to other candidates who contested the election and incorporating their ideas into the governance of the state.
Oyebanji said the task of developing Osun State required the collective contributions of stakeholders, regardless of political affiliation.
He also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as providing a level playing field for all the candidates who participated in the election.
According to him, the approach adopted by the Federal Government helped to reduce tension and contributed to making the election a credible and competitive contest.
Oyebanji also congratulated the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Oyebamiji, describing him as a worthy challenger who put up a strong fight in the election.
He praised members of the Osun State APC for their efforts during the campaign and election, urging them to accept the outcome and return to the drawing board to strategise for future elections.
The governor further commended the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies for their roles in the conduct of the election.
However, Oyebanji cautioned against interpreting Adeleke’s victory as a rejection of President Tinubu or the APC by the people of Osun State ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
He expressed confidence that Osun voters would support President Tinubu and the APC in the 2027 presidential election.
Oyebanji said: “This is democracy and the majority of Osun voters have expressed their preference for the re-election of Governor Ademola Adeleke.
“Congratulations to Governor Adeleke on the electoral victory. I urge him to be magnanimous in victory and carry other contestants along in the task of building a more prosperous Osun State.
“We must specially appreciate our dear President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for providing a level playing field for all the contestants. This singular act of the President reduced tension and made the contest a credible one.
“The outcome of the Osun Governorship election should not be misinterpreted as a true reflection of Osun people about President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Certainly not. The people of Osun will massively vote for President Tinubu come January 2027.”
