• Task governor on Osun unity, development
• Don’t deviate from path of good governance, ex-President urges Adeleke

The National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rauf Aregbesola, yesterday, felicitated Osun State governor, Ademola Adeleke, on his re-election during Saturday’s governorship polls in the state.

Aregbesola, who was governor of the state, described election as a moment when citizens exercise their sovereign right to choose who they wish to entrust with the responsibility of governing them.

In a Facebook post sighted by The Guardian, Aregbesola stated: “People of Osun State have spoken through the ballot, their decision must be respected. I, therefore, extend my best wishes to Governor Adeleke as he prepares to commence another term in office.

“I congratulate Senator Ademola Adeleke on his re-election as the Governor of Osun State following the governorship election held on Saturday, August 15, 2026.”

He, however, appreciated members and supporters of ADC in the state for standing by the party’s standardbearer, Najeem Salaam, who polled 17,180 during the election.

ALSO, former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olabode George, has described the outcome of Osun State last Saturday’s governorship election as a significant affirmation of the power of the electorate and the importance of allowing the will of the people to prevail in a democracy.

George, who congratulated Adeleke on his re-election victory, said that the peaceful conduct and outcome of the election should serve as an important example as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections.

The PDP chieftain said the right of Nigerians to freely choose their leaders must remain at the heart of the nation’s democratic process, urging political actors and institutions to demonstrate restraint, fairness and respect for the wishes of the electorate.

He, however, expressed satisfaction that the Osun election was concluded peacefully and without a crisis over the results.

George said the Osun election was a practical demonstration that political influence and access to resources did not amount to ownership of the people’s mandate.

The PDP chieftain, while congratulating Adeleke on his victory, urged the governor to regard his victory as a renewed contract with the people of Osun State and work harder to justify their confidence.

HOWEVER, the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, has described the recently concluded Osun State governorship election as an affirmation of the supremacy of the people’s will in a democratic system.

The group commended what it described as the historic voter turnout, stating that the development signposted a milestone in the state’s political evolution and a testament to the growing political consciousness of its citizenry.

In a statement by its Secretary-General, Sola Ebiseni, the group lauded the voters for their steadfast commitment to ensuring that their ballots counted, describing their conduct as a continuation of the tradition of political activism for which the Yoruba people have been renowned.

Afenifere noted that the electoral contest passed creditably as a free, fair, and credible process.

It, however, urged sustained improvements in the country’s electoral architecture.

“We congratulate Governor Ademola Adeleke for his re-election and need not remind him that the expectations will be higher in justifying the confidence reposed in him by the people,” Afenifere stated.

MEANWHILE, former President Olusegun Obasanjo has urged Adeleke not to deviate from the path of good governance and democratic ideals.

Obasanjo, who paid a congratulatory visit to Adeleke at his country home in Ede on Sunday, accompanied by Oyewole Fasawe, prayed for the governor’s success in replicating healthy socio-economic developments of the state in his second term.

A statement, yesterday, by the governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, quoted the former president to have stated that “continue to deliver good governance. Continue to meet the needs of your people.