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The spokesperson of the Imole Campaign Council in Osun State, Pelumi Olajengbesi, has described Governor Ademola Adeleke’s victory in the governorship election as the will of the people, saying the result demonstrated their support for his administration.
“I am super excited. This is the Lord’s doing; this is the manifestation of God’s hand; this is the will of the people of Osun State. I am glad because this election has clearly shown that Governor Ademola Adeleke is the man of the people,” Olajengbesi said.
He said the outcome had also demonstrated the governor’s performance and secured a fresh mandate from the electorate.
“This election has justified that Mr. Governor has performed excellently well. The people of Osun State have renewed the mandate by supporting him as the Governor of Osun State.”
Olajengbesi said Adeleke’s victory came despite what he described as intimidation, harassment and abuse of institutions during the election. He added that the governor had remained confident throughout the campaign.
“So I am glad despite all intimidation, despite the harassment, despite all the reckless use of power and abuse of institution, Mr. Governor emerged victorious. So we are glad.
We are super happy and importantly we are glad because throughout the process of this campaign, Mr. Governor was very confident, he had his trust in God and he said to us that this election is done already.”
On the electorate’s choice, he said, “This actually is a proof that the people of Osun State are determined to elect a leader that is willing to serve the people of Osun State. A leader whose worth and dignity is deeply rooted in the welfare of our people.”
Olajengbesi also acknowledged President Bola Tinubu’s role, saying the President had directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to ensure a credible poll. He, however, disputed the description of the election as free and fair.
“We want to believe that this election is very very credible but we do not agree that this election is free and fair because it was oppressive.
Our people are still in detention as I speak to you today. Even during the election over 11 persons were arrested in our process but we are glad that the President was able to stand by his word and insist that the right thing must be done.”
He further disclosed that Tinubu congratulated Adeleke before the result was formally declared, describing the action as good leadership.
“Let me tell you this quickly, even before the result was declared yesterday night, midnight, Mr. President called Mr. Governor and congratulated him and that is good leadership.
We want to encourage Nigerians and politicians, politics shouldn’t be do or die affairs. We should see politics as an opportunity to develop our society, as an opportunity to develop humanity and I think that is the worldview of Governor Ademola Adelike.”
Olajengbesi also claimed that Adeleke instructed his supporters not to buy votes, saying the electorate backed the governor without taking money from him.
“Let me tell you, it will interest you to know that in this election Governor Ademola Adelike gave an express instruction to all of his foot soldiers not to buy a single vote in Osun state.
If any report has informed you that anybody paid for votes in Osun state, it wasn’t Accord party, it wasn’t Governor Ademola Adelike, I am surprised that the people of Osun state without taking a penny from Mr. Governor came out en masse and voted for Governor Ademola Adelike.”
He said the margin of victory reflected the scale of the electorate’s support and suggested that Adeleke could dedicate the victory to those who died during the struggle.
“The implication is that there is no single person, you can see in the victory, the margin is very very wide and it’s I mean the margin is super wide, this is simply because then imagine if this election was done in an atmosphere where people are free, where people have the opportunity to express their will.
I think Governor Ademola Adelike may eventually dedicate this election in honor of those who lost their life in the course of this struggle.”
Olajengbesi’s comments came as the Imole campaign council celebrated Adeleke’s victory while also raising concerns about arrests and the conduct of the election. He urged politicians to approach public office as a responsibility to the people rather than a contest to be won at all costs.
