Governor Ademola Adeleke has won the Osun State governorship election with 511,067 votes, defeating his closest challenger, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who secured 444,815 votes.
The Returning Officer for the election, Joshua Ogunwole, declared Adeleke the winner early on Sunday at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) collation centre in Osogbo.
“For that, Adeleke Ademola Jackson of the Accord Party, having satisfied the requirement of the law, is hereby declared the winner and is hereby returned elected,” Mr Ogunwole said.
Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) finished third with 17,180 votes.
According to the returning officer, 1,005,800 votes were cast across the state’s 30 local government areas, with 985,079 recorded as valid votes. A total of 1,010,684 voters were accredited for the election.
The victory comes after Adeleke left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in December and contested the election on the platform of the Accord Party.
Explaining his decision to join the party, the governor said its focus on welfare aligned with his priorities.
“We opted for the Accord Party because its mission of welfarism aligns with our passionate focus on citizens’ and workers’ welfare,” he said.
“The primary essence of a government is the welfare and well-being of the people.”
Fifteen political parties contested the election, which brought months of campaigning to an end in the south-western state.
Security tightened ahead of poll
Authorities deployed thousands of security personnel across Osun amid heightened political tensions and accusations between the leading parties.
Police deployed 15,000 personnel and 30 commissioners of police, while a helicopter and drone unit were used for aerial surveillance, according to police authorities.
President Bola Tinubu had directed security chiefs to ensure adequate protection at polling units and prevent disruption of the election.
“I have charged the Inspector-General of Police and other heads of security outfits taking part in the election to provide maximum security at polling units,” Mr Tinubu said.
“No room should be allowed for troublemakers to disrupt the process.”
He also urged INEC to ensure the election was “transparent, free and fair”.
EFCC account freeze raises concerns
Days before the election, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) froze an account belonging to the Osun State Government.
The move generated controversy, but President Tinubu subsequently directed the anti-graft agency to unfreeze the account, describing the timing of the action as embarrassing.
The election also faced a late logistical challenge after a court ordered INEC to include the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the contest.
INEC said it had to adjust its preparations, including the printing and distribution of ballot papers.
“We were able to print all ballot papers, millions, within 36 hours, because hours had no meaning to us anymore,” said Kunle Ajayi, the INEC national commissioner supervising Osun.
“We were working day and night as if it were day.”
Jubilation spreads across Osun
Adeleke’s victory sparked celebrations across the state, particularly in Osogbo, the state capital, and Ede, his hometown.
Supporters gathered in the streets, singing, dancing and chanting in celebration as the final results were announced.
The celebrations had begun earlier in areas where Adeleke secured strong support, with supporters reacting to results from polling units and local government areas.
