Osun election: Adeleke dedicates victory to God, people, extends olive branch to rivals

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has dedicated his re-election victory to God and the people of the state, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a collective push towards peace and unity.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, on Sunday, the governor appealed to the people of Osun to heal the wounds of pre-election violence.

He urged residents to avoid post-election attacks on rivals and resist retaliatory actions stemming from old grievances, emphasising the need for forgiveness and the restoration of communal harmony following weeks of tension and security incidents across the state.

Governor Adeleke specifically tasked community leaders and traditional institutions with spearheading peace-building efforts at the grassroots level, noting that the electoral contest had been decided by divine grace and the mandate of the electorate.

Commending the resilience, strong will, and unwavering commitment of Osun residents to democracy, the governor pledged not to betray their trust.

“As you have trusted me with a second term in office, I will reinforce my strong points and correct my errors. Osun will witness further accelerated development and growth under my renewed five-point agenda,” the governor reassured.

The governor also expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his backing of a credible electoral process. Describing the president as “a son of Osun State,” Governor Adeleke reaffirmed his earlier endorsement of Tinubu for a second term in the 2027 presidential election.

He thanked democracy advocates both at home and abroad for their overwhelming support, while singling out the media for its steadfast coverage.

Declaring that “there is no victor, no vanquished” in the contest, the governor extended an olive branch to his co-contestants.

Governor Adeleke reiterated his core vision to transform the state from a civil service economy into a thriving industrial hub and a prime investment destination, saying, “I am the governor of all Osun people.”