INEC Presents Certificate of Return to Osun Governor Adeleke

INEC Presents Certificate of Return to Osun Governor Adeleke
Adeleke defeated APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji by 66,252 votes.
INEC praised voters and stakeholders for supporting the electoral process.

The Independent National Electoral Commission has presented Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State with his certificate of return following his victory in the state governorship election.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the certificate was presented to Adeleke by the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner for Osun State, Oluwatoyin Babalola.

The presentation took place at 1:30pm on Wednesday at the commission’s headquarters in Osogbo, shortly after Deputy Governor Prince Kola Adewusi received his own certificate of return.

Speaking at the ceremony, Babalola said the presentation was conducted in accordance with the law governing the commission and confirmed the electoral mandate given to Adeleke and Adewusi by voters across the state.

She commended stakeholders who contributed to the successful conduct of the election, particularly security agencies, non governmental organisations, the media and traditional leaders.

The Osun REC also praised voters for their participation, putting the voter turnout at 43.2 per cent.

Babalola congratulated Adeleke on his victory and urged him to be magnanimous in victory.

Also speaking, INEC National Supervising Commissioner for Osun State, Prof. Kunle Ajayi, described the presentation as a significant moment for democracy and the people of the state.

Ajayi congratulated Adeleke and commended Osun voters for participating in the election despite tensions and incidents of violence recorded during the build up to the poll.

He said the conduct of the election demonstrated the resilience and determination of the people of Osun State.

The commissioner stressed that INEC entered Osun State to uphold democratic principles and not to support any particular candidate.

INEC had earlier confirmed Adeleke as the winner of the keenly contested governorship election held in Osun State on Saturday, August 15.

According to the electoral commission, Adeleke won 19 local government areas, while his closest rival, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress, won 11 local government areas.

Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress came third in the election.