African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar and his Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) counterpart, Peter Obi, have congratulated Ademola Adeleke on his re-election as Governor of Osun State.
The opposition leaders sent separate congratulatory messages on X on Sunday, shortly after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Adeleke the winner of the August 15 governorship election.
Obi, a former Anambra governor, described Adeleke’s victory as a triumph for democracy and praised Osun voters for defending their mandate.
“Osun: When the People Stand, Democracy Wins,” Obi wrote.
He said Adeleke secured a fresh mandate through his “commitment to the people, compassion for their needs, and the strength of his work and achievements in office”.
“The lesson from Osun is clear: democracy is strongest when citizens are alert, conscious of their civic responsibility, and determined to ensure that their votes count,” Obi added.
He urged Nigerians to remain engaged in the electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections. Obi also called on political actors to put citizens’ interests first and uphold peace, unity and the rule of law.
Atiku, the ADC presidential candidate, also congratulated Adeleke, saying his victory reflected the choice of Osun voters at the ballot box.
“I congratulate Governor Ademola Adeleke, @AAdeleke_01, on his re-election as Governor of Osun State.
“His victory demonstrates the choice of the people of Osun as expressed at the ballot box. I commend the people for their passion and peaceful participation. I wish Governor Adeleke continued success as he continues to serve them,” Atiku wrote.
Adeleke first won the Osun governorship election in 2022.
INEC declared him the winner of the latest poll after he secured 511,067 votes on the platform of the Accord Party. His closest challenger, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), polled 444,815 votes.
Adeleke won in 19 of the state’s 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji secured victory in 11.
The result gives Adeleke another four-year term after his first election in 2022 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Meanwhile, Afrobeat singer David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, celebrated his uncle’s victory shortly after INEC’s declaration.
Davido, who played a prominent role in Adeleke’s re-election campaign, posted on X: “WE DID IT UNC!!!”
The Grammy-nominated singer had watched Channels Television’s live coverage of the results while awaiting the official declaration.
As Returning Officer Joshua Ogunwole declared Adeleke the winner, Davido jumped up, knelt and eventually lay on the floor in celebration. Members of his team quickly joined him, cheering and celebrating the governor’s victory.
Davido served as Chairman of the Imole Youth Mobilisation Campaign Council and took part in rallies and grassroots mobilisation during the campaign.
Following the declaration, residents celebrated in several parts of Osun, especially Osogbo, the state capital, and Ede, Adeleke’s hometown.
