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President Bola Tinubu congratulated Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke before the Independent National Electoral Commission formally declared him winner of the governorship election, an Accord Party chieftain, Pelumi Olajengbesi, has disclosed.
Olajengbesi made the revelation while speaking with journalists at the INEC collation centre in Osogbo shortly after Adeleke was announced as the winner.
According to him, Tinubu contacted Adeleke before the final result was officially declared, describing the gesture as an indication of good leadership.
“Even before the result was declared yesterday night, Mr. President called Mr. Governor and congratulated him, and that is good leadership,” Olajengbesi said.
He also commended Tinubu for what he described as his decision to allow the electoral process to run without presidential interference.
Olajengbesi said the President had, before the election, directed INEC and security agencies to ensure that the poll was free, fair and credible.
He, however, argued that although the election was credible, it could not be described as completely free and fair because of alleged oppression and arrests of opposition supporters.
“We want to believe that this election is very credible, but we do not agree that this election is free and fair because it was oppressive,” he said, adding that more than 11 people were allegedly arrested during the election.
Despite the complaints, Olajengbesi praised Tinubu for allowing the outcome of the election to stand, saying the President had kept his word by ensuring that the electoral process was respected.
Adeleke was declared winner after polling 511,067 votes, defeating APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji, who secured 444,815 votes.
