The spokesperson for the Imole Campaign Council, Pelumi Olajengbesi, has praised President Bola Tinubu over the conduct of the Osun governorship election, claiming that the President congratulated Governor Ademola Adeleke before the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) formally announced the result.
Olajengbesi spoke on Sunday shortly after INEC declared Adeleke winner of the August 15 governorship election in Osogbo.
According to him, Tinubu contacted Adeleke before the official declaration, which he described as an example of responsible leadership and a sign that politics should not be treated as a do-or-die affair.
“Even before the election results were announced, Mr President called Governor Adeleke and congratulated him.”
Olajengbesi also commended Tinubu for directing security agencies to maintain professionalism and neutrality during the election.
He said the campaign council believed the President’s position contributed to a credible electoral process.
“We are also appreciative of Mr President because, at the commencement of this election, Mr President announced to the world and informed the Independent National Electoral Commission that the poll should be credible.”
The campaign spokesperson described Adeleke’s victory as a reflection of the choice of Osun voters, saying residents had renewed their support for the governor despite what he described as intimidation and pressure during the election period.
“This is the manifestation of God and the will of the people of Osun State.”
Adeleke was declared winner after securing 511,067 votes, defeating APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji, who scored 444,815 votes.
The Accord candidate won 19 of the state’s 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji won 11. ADC candidate Najeem Salaam finished third.
The result secured Adeleke another four-year term after he left the PDP, the platform on which he won the 2022 election, and contested the 2026 poll under the Accord Party.
Olajengbesi also said Adeleke had directed his supporters not to engage in vote-buying during the election and commended voters for maintaining their support for the governor.
However, allegations of vote-buying and other electoral infractions have emerged following the poll.
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on INEC, the EFCC and ICPC to investigate reported cases of vote-buying, financial inducement, illegal election financing, voter intimidation, violence and other alleged electoral offences linked to the election.
Source: Statements by Pelumi Olajengbesi and INEC.
