- Ademola Adeleke has won a second term as Osun governor
- He defeated APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji in the election
- ADC candidate Najeem Salaam finished third
Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has secured another four-year term after defeating his closest challenger, All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate Bola Oyebamiji, in Saturday’s governorship election.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that the Returning Officer for the election, Joshua Ogunwole, announced Adeleke as the winner at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) collation centre in Osogbo in the early hours of Sunday.
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Adeleke, who contested on the platform of the Accord Party, secured 511,067 votes, while Oyebamiji polled 444,815 votes to finish second.
African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate Najeem Salaam came a distant third with 17,180 votes.
The election was conducted across Osun State’s 30 local government areas, with 15 political parties participating in the contest.
Adeleke’s re-election marks a significant political development following his decision to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and join the Accord Party in December.
The governor had explained that he chose the Accord platform because its philosophy placed emphasis on the welfare of citizens and workers.
The election followed months of intense political activities, allegations and counter-allegations between the major political parties.
Security was significantly strengthened ahead of the poll amid concerns over possible violence. The police deployed 15,000 personnel and 30 commissioners of police across the state, while aerial surveillance was also conducted using a helicopter and drone unit.
President Bola Tinubu had earlier directed the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, and other security chiefs to ensure adequate protection at polling units and prevent disruptions.
The President also urged INEC to conduct a transparent, free and fair election.
In the days leading up to the poll, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) froze an account belonging to the Osun State Government, sparking controversy because of the timing of the action.
Tinubu subsequently ordered the anti-corruption agency to lift the restriction, describing the timing of the decision as inappropriate given its proximity to the governorship election.
The election preparations also faced a late legal challenge after a court ordered INEC to include the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the contest.
The development forced the electoral commission to make last-minute adjustments to its logistics, including the printing and distribution of ballot papers.
INEC National Commissioner supervising the Osun election, Kunle Ajayi, said the commission worked around the clock to meet the new requirements following the court decision.
Despite the late changes and heightened political tension, the election proceeded across the state before Adeleke emerged victorious and secured another term in office.
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