Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has dedicated his re-election victory to the people of the state, describing the outcome of the August 2026 governorship election as a triumph for democracy.
Adeleke spoke after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared him the winner of the election, securing 511,067 votes to defeat the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, who polled 444,815 votes.
The governor won in 19 of the state’s 30 local government areas, securing another term in office.
Reacting to his victory, Adeleke expressed gratitude to God and the people of Osun, saying the outcome represented a victory for democratic values.
“I thank God Almighty for what has happened here today. It is a victory for democracy,” Adeleke said.
He also called on his opponents to accept the result and put the interest of Osun State above partisan politics.
Adeleke adopted a “no victor, no vanquish” position, urging all political parties and their supporters to come together and work toward the development of the state.
He specifically expressed his expectation that Oyebamiji would congratulate him following the declaration.
“I expect Oyebamiji, as a civilised person, to call and congratulate me,” the governor said.
Following the announcement, President Bola Tinubu and other political leaders reportedly congratulated Adeleke on his victory.
Adeleke Promises Industrial Transformation
Beyond celebrating his re-election, Adeleke used the occasion to outline his vision for Osun’s economy during his second term.
The governor vowed to transform the state from a predominantly civil-service-driven economy into an industrial and commercial hub.
According to Adeleke, his administration will focus on extensive industrialisation, attracting investment, expanding economic opportunities and creating jobs for residents.
His vision is aimed at reducing Osun’s reliance on government employment while creating a stronger private-sector economy capable of generating sustainable opportunities for young people and businesses.
Adeleke also pledged to consolidate the gains recorded during his first term by building on projects and programmes in infrastructure, public education and agriculture.
The governor’s second-term agenda is therefore expected to place greater emphasis on economic expansion, industrial development and the completion of ongoing projects across the state.
A New Political Chapter for Osun
The election result marks another major chapter in Adeleke’s political career and gives his administration a fresh mandate to pursue its development agenda.
While his supporters have celebrated the victory, the governor has called for unity and urged political opponents to move beyond the election.
His “no victor, no vanquish” message suggests an attempt to shift attention from the political contest toward governance and development.
With 511,067 votes securing his re-election, the focus will now move from the ballot box to whether Adeleke can fulfil his promises to the people of Osun.
In particular, residents will be watching to see whether his proposed transformation from a civil-service state into an industrial state can translate into new businesses, jobs, investment and improved living standards.
For Adeleke, however, the immediate message is clear: the election is over, and the next chapter should be about delivering the dividends of democracy to the people who gave him another mandate.
