One More Dance

|  Adeleke wins re-election in Osun despite the odds

By Ademu Idakwo, James Kwen, Jonathan Nda-Isaiah, Samson Elijah, Abuja;  Joshua Dada, Osogbo; Damilola Origbemisuyi, Akure; and Abdullahi Olesin, Ilorin

After months of intense politicking, violence and political manoeuvring, Governor Ademola Adeleke, fondly called Imole and known for his dancing, has won re-election as governor of Osun State.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Adeleke, candidate of the Accord Party, winner of Saturday’s keenly contested governorship election, securing a second-term mandate despite the violence, killings and intimidation that preceded the poll, the last off-cycle governorship election before the 2027 general elections.

Announcing the result at INEC headquarters in Osogbo on Sunday, the Returning Officer, Prof. Joshua Olalekan Ogunwale, said Adeleke polled 511,067 votes to defeat the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji, who scored 444,815 votes. The African Democratic Party (ADC) candidate, Dr Najeem Salaam, came third with 17,180 votes.

Ogunwale said 2,339,544 voters were registered, while 1,010,684 were accredited. He put the total valid votes at 985,097, rejected votes at 20,721 and total ballots cast at 1,005,800.

Adeleke won by 66,252 votes, taking 19 of the state’s 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji won 11.

Declaring Adeleke the winner, Ogunwale said the governor secured the highest number of votes and satisfied the constitutional requirement.

“I, Prof. Joshua Olalekan Ogunwale, hereby declare the candidate of the Accord Party, Ademola Jackson Adeleke, the winner of the election, having satisfied the requirements.”

Jubilation erupted in Osogbo shortly after the declaration, with Adeleke’s supporters taking to the streets in celebration.

A resident, Taiwo Oloyede, commended INEC for conducting what he described as a credible election and praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for allowing the electoral commission a free hand, particularly in relation to the controversy over the freezing of the state government’s account.

A civil servant, Odunola Omojola, attributed Adeleke’s victory partly to his relationship with workers, saying the governor had made their welfare a priority and enjoyed strong support from the state workforce.

What Gave Adeleke the Winning Edge

Several factors combined to give Adeleke victory.

Technology: INEC’s Result Viewing Portal (IReV) enhanced the electronic transmission and monitoring of results, while parties and candidates deployed high-tech situation rooms to track votes from polling units in real time. Election observers also used technology to make early projections. The development helped reduce the room for manipulation during collation.

Voter vigilance and turnout: Despite pre-election violence and threats, voters turned out and remained engaged throughout the electoral process. Their determination to protect their votes, coupled with monitoring by stakeholders, strengthened the electoral process and benefited the incumbent.

Heavy security deployment: The deployment of more than 30,000 security personnel boosted voter confidence. Security patrols across the state on the eve of the election also helped to contain threats of violence.

APC’s baggage: The APC was also burdened by the record of previous administrations under Adegboyega Oyetola and Rauf Aregbesola, both former Osun governors who served under the party. The two had faced criticism over difficulties in paying salaries and pensions.

Oyetola, now Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, backed Oyebamiji, while Aregbesola, now National Secretary of the ADC, was associated with Salaam.

By contrast, Adeleke benefited from increased federal allocations and improved relations with workers, while salaries, welfare and government payments improved. The election suggested that voters may have punished the APC candidates for the perceived shortcomings of their political predecessors.

Adeleke’s two-track strategy: Adeleke combined a direct challenge to the APC in Osun with conciliatory politics towards President Tinubu. After APC power brokers blocked his reported move to the ruling party, his Accord Party adopted Tinubu as its presidential candidate, a move analysts said helped him secure some sympathy from the Presidency while limiting the influence of the APC establishment in Osun.

INEC improvements: Better logistics and more timely deployment of personnel and materials facilitated voting. Although some heavily populated polling units experienced delays due to inadequate BVAS machines, the overall functionality of the devices was largely satisfactory.

Beyond these factors, Adeleke consolidated his traditional political base while making inroads into APC strongholds.

His home base in Ede North, Ede South and Egbedore remained firmly behind him, providing a substantial vote bank. He also enjoyed strong support in Ife East, Ife North and Ife Central, areas associated with his deputy, Kola Adewusi.

The Ife axis was further strengthened by what was seen as the subtle support of former APC National Secretary, Senator Iyiola Omisore, despite the latter losing his own polling unit.

Adeleke also breached APC strongholds, including Irewole, where Oyebamiji had a strong political base. The APC similarly struggled in Isokan, Olorunda and Osogbo, where influential party figures had significant political interests. In Olorunda, for instance, Senator Ajibola Basiru, former Senate spokesperson and APC National Secretary, had strengthened the party’s structure.

Ondo APC: We Have Lessons to Learn

Reacting to the result, the Ondo State chapter of the APC said local factors could have contributed to the party’s defeat.

Its Publicity Secretary, Kayode Adeyeluwa Muyideen, told LEADERSHIP that Adeleke’s performance could have influenced voters, stressing that political dynamics varied from state to state.

He cautioned against interpreting the Osun result as a reflection of the APC’s strength across the South-West.

“Osun may have its own peculiarities. You know, the place has been complicated. So, we cannot measure what happened in Osun State as equal to that of other states in the Southwest.”

Muyideen, however, expressed confidence that the APC would retain its dominance in the region ahead of 2027.

“At the next presidential election, including the senatorial election, APC cannot lose. I’m very confident, I’m very convinced that there is no way they can defeat APC in any of these states.”

APC Practically Handed Adeleke Victory — Saliu

The President of the Nigerian Society of International Affairs (NSIA) and former President of the Nigerian Political Science Association (NPSA), Prof. Hassan Saliu, said the APC “practically handed victory” to Adeleke.

Saliu attributed the defeat to the party’s fractured primaries, disqualification of some aspirants and unresolved grievances that resulted in anti-party activities.

He also cited the seizure of state allocations and the subsequent lifting of the seizure, saying the episode portrayed Adeleke as a victim and attracted sympathy votes.

According to him, reckless rhetoric by some APC members, Adeleke’s performance, particularly in infrastructure, and the inability of the ruling party to convince voters that its economic reforms were improving their lives also worked against the APC.

“Voters easily associated the party with economic hardship. This should signal to the government that the impacts of economic reforms are not being felt by Nigerians,” he said.

Big Political Upsets

The election produced major upsets for some of Osun’s prominent political figures, with several unable to deliver their own polling units for candidates they supported.

Former governor and PDP chieftain, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, who recently backed Oyebamiji, lost his polling unit in Okuku to Adeleke. At Polling Unit 003, Ward 1, Accord scored 125 votes against APC’s 85.

Former APC National Secretary, Senator Iyiola Omisore, suffered a similar upset at Polling Unit 003, Ward 1, Moore, Ile-Ife, where Accord scored 131 votes against APC’s 85.

Former governor and ADC National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, also lost his polling unit in Ifofin, Ilesa. The APC won with 236 votes, while the ADC polled 43.

The results highlighted the changing political dynamics in Osun, where prominent endorsements did not necessarily translate into polling-unit victories.

However, Senator Francis Fadahunsi and Hon. Wole Oke retained their polling units, showing that not all APC-aligned political heavyweights suffered similar setbacks.

ADC Performance Raises 2027 Concerns

The election has also raised concerns about the ADC’s prospects ahead of 2027.

Osun was the third major governorship contest in which the ADC participated after Anambra and Ekiti, but its performance has remained below expectations.

In the November 2025 Anambra governorship election, the ADC scored 8,317 votes and finished fifth. APGA won with 422,664 votes, followed by APC with 99,445, YPP with 33,652 and Labour Party with 10,482.

The party improved to third place in the June 2026 Ekiti election but still polled only 12,872 votes, behind the APC’s 319,224 and PDP’s 40,543.

In Osun, the ADC again finished third, despite the presence of prominent politicians in its leadership. Its candidate, Salaam, scored 17,180 votes, while Aregbesola lost his own polling unit.

The party also failed to secure overwhelming support in Ejigbo, regarded as Salaam’s home base, or in Ilesa East and Ilesa West, areas associated with Aregbesola.

The results from Anambra, Ekiti and Osun raise questions about whether the ADC’s growing national profile is translating into grassroots strength. For a party seeking to challenge the APC in 2027, prominent political figures may not be enough without strong ward and polling-unit structures.

Accord Victory and the 2027 Calculation

Adeleke’s victory represents a major breakthrough for Accord, the platform he adopted after leaving the PDP.

The result could make Osun an important reference point for opposition parties seeking to challenge the APC in 2027. But the durability of the model will depend on whether Accord can build structures beyond Adeleke’s personal popularity.

The election demonstrated the importance of candidate appeal, local structures, voter sentiment and organised support, while showing that established political structures and high-profile endorsements do not automatically guarantee victory.

For Accord, the immediate challenge is to convert Adeleke’s victory into a sustainable statewide structure capable of surviving beyond the governor.

Reactions as Adeleke Wins Osun Governorship Race for Second Term

Reactions have continued to trail Governor Ademola Adeleke’s re-election in Saturday’s Osun State governorship election, with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, political leaders, governors and civil society organisations commending the electorate and the electoral process.

Tinubu: Adeleke’s Re-election Assures Democracy Will Flourish

President Tinubu congratulated Adeleke, saying his re-election demonstrated the confidence Osun voters had in him and assured that democracy would continue to flourish under his administration.

In a statement by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu urged Adeleke to unite the people of Osun and focus on growth, stability and socio-economic development.

“The outcome of the election reflects the will of the people and is a fitting assurance that democracy will continue to flourish in our land,” the president said.

He also commended the other candidates for their participation, saying their involvement deepened Nigeria’s democratic culture, while praising INEC and the security agencies for conducting a peaceful and transparent election.

Adeleke: My Victory Is Triumph for Democracy

Adeleke described his re-election as a triumph for democracy and an endorsement of his administration by the people of Osun State.

He said voters rewarded his government for its achievements in agriculture, infrastructure and education, promising to do more during his second term.

“This is a victory for democracy in Nigeria and a victory for the people of Osun State that stood by me, that said, Imole, you have done a lot for us, you have given us dividends of democracy in terms of agriculture, infrastructure, improving our education and so forth,” Adeleke said.

The governor also reaffirmed his support for President Tinubu’s bid for a second term in 2027, describing him as “a son of Osun State”.

“At this point, I must deeply appreciate the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his strong support for a free and fair election. Mr President is a son of Osun State, and I hereby reaffirm my earlier endorsement of him for a second term in the 2027 presidential election,” Adeleke said.

Osun Labour to Hold Victory Rally

In its reaction, Organised Labour in Osun State has announced a celebration rally for today, Monday, August 17, involving workers, pensioners and affiliate unions.

The rally, according to a notice jointly signed by NLC chairman, Christopher Arapasopo, and TUC chairman, Bimbo Fasasi, is aimed at celebrating the conclusion of the electoral process and demonstrating the “unity, solidarity and collective strength” of workers and pensioners.

The unions directed all members to mobilise for the rally.

Governors Congratulate Adeleke

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) also congratulated Adeleke on his victory.

In a statement signed by its chairman, Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the forum attributed Adeleke’s victory partly to his record and personality and commended Osun voters for their strong turnout.

The NGF also praised opposition parties for contributing to Nigeria’s democracy and security agencies for containing the violence recorded before the election.

It commended President Tinubu for balancing his role as leader of the ruling party with that of “father of the nation”.

The forum expressed confidence that Adeleke would build on the achievements of his first term.

Osun APC Studies Results, Weighs Legal Options

For the APC, however, the battle may not be over.

The Osun State chapter said it was studying results from the 332 wards to determine its next course of action.

In a statement by its director of Media and Information, Mogaji Kola Olabisi, the party said an election process extends from voter registration and party primaries through the election, tribunal, Court of Appeal and, ultimately, the Supreme Court.

The APC said it would explore all constitutionally permitted legal avenues under the Electoral Act 2026 after consulting its lawyers.

“It is not over until it is over,” the party said, while urging members and supporters to remain calm and avoid responding to provocative actions.

It also appealed to the police to protect its members and supporters whom it alleged were being “needlessly molested” by opposition supporters.

Abbas: Adeleke’s Victory Shows Tinubu Is Pro-Democracy

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, congratulated Adeleke and said the result demonstrated that President Tinubu was a true democrat.

According to Abbas, the victory of the opposition Accord Party showed that opposition parties were allowed to test their popularity under the Tinubu administration.

He said Nigerians should expect greater credibility in the 2027 elections and urged Adeleke to justify his mandate by delivering dividends of democracy.

Abbas also commended other candidates for their participation, saying the contest had strengthened Nigeria’s democratic culture.

Atiku, Obi, Kwankwaso, Others React

Former Vice President and ADC presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, congratulated Adeleke, saying his victory reflected the choice of Osun voters.

“His victory demonstrates the choice of the people of Osun as expressed at the ballot box,” Atiku said.

He also commended the people for their peaceful participation and wished the governor success in his second term.

Former Anambra State governor and Nigeria Democractic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, similarly congratulated Adeleke and praised Osun voters, particularly young people, for defending their democratic mandate.

“They — Osun people — have spoken with courage and clarity, reaffirming that the power to choose their leaders belongs to the people,” Obi said.

He said the election demonstrated the importance of voter vigilance and called on Nigerians to remain engaged ahead of the 2027 elections.

Former Kano State governor and NDC vice-presidential candidate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, also congratulated Adeleke and commended Osun voters for exercising their democratic rights.

“As a leader of the opposition and a committed democrat, I commend the people of Osun State for exercising their democratic rights and reaffirming the power of the people’s mandate,” Kwankwaso said.

Accord Party presidential candidate, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, described the victory as a triumph for democracy and the people, saying it demonstrated the power of citizens to determine who governs them.

Former Bayelsa State governor and NDC national leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, said Adeleke’s victory was significant for both Osun and Nigeria’s democracy, describing it as proof that voters could still assert their will at the ballot box.

The Allied Peoples Movement (APM), however, used the result to predict defeat for the Tinubu administration in 2027. Its National Publicity Secretary, Yusuf Abubakar, said Nigerians were dissatisfied with the APC and would rally behind its presidential candidate, Seyi Makinde.

Former Abia State governor and Senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu, also congratulated Adeleke but said the result should not be interpreted as a setback for Tinubu or the APC. He maintained that the president’s political prospects in Osun remained “very bright”.

CSOs Commend Osun Voters, INEC

Civil society organisations also commended the conduct of the election and the participation of Osun voters.

Yiaga Africa praised INEC, security agencies and voters, saying the commission’s official results were consistent with its Watching the Vote (WTV) estimates.

“The official results, as announced, reflect the ballots counted at polling units,” the organisation said.

It said voter turnout was impressive despite the tense environment preceding the election and commended the professional conduct of security personnel on election day.

The Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) similarly commended INEC for the relatively seamless conduct of the election, particularly the absence of major technical glitches and the real-time uploading of polling-unit results on IReV.

The group praised Osun voters for participating peacefully despite reports of vote-buying, intimidation and harassment.

In a statement by its chairman and executive director of CISLAC, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, TMG said the election demonstrated improvements in Nigeria’s electoral process but stressed the need for continued scrutiny of INEC.

Ahead of 2027, it urged Nigerians to obtain and safeguard their Permanent Voter Cards, complete accreditation, vote and reject vote-buying. It also advised voters to choose candidates based on character, competence and credibility rather than religion, ethnicity, region, party loyalty or political slogans.

TMG called on INEC to strengthen election technology, logistics, voter accreditation, results transmission and public communication. It also urged security and anti-corruption agencies to intensify the fight against vote-buying, intimidation, thuggery and other electoral offences.

The Reset Nigeria Movement also hailed Osun voters for their resilience and courage, saying the outcome was a reminder that democracy ultimately belongs to the people.

ADC Candidate, Salaam, Congratulates Adeleke, Says Democracy Prevailed

The candidate of the African Democratic Congress in the Osun State governorship election, Najeem Salaam, has congratulated Governor Ademola Adeleke on his re-election, saying the outcome of the poll showed that democracy had prevailed.

Salaam, in a congratulatory message to Adeleke, said the choice of the people must be respected, regardless of political differences.

He said, “I warmly congratulate His Excellency, Senator Ademola Adeleke, on his re-election as the Governor of Osun State. At the end of the day, the choice of the people must prevail. In any democratic process, there will always be choices, contestation and differing views, but what matters most is that the people are given the opportunity to decide. Today, they have exercised that right, and their decision deserves our respect and support.”

The ADC candidate said the election was a reminder that there would always be a winner in every political contest, stressing that political differences should not threaten peace and unity in the state.

“The outcome of this election is a reminder that, in every contest, there will always be a winner. Today, the people have spoken, and their choice must be respected. As Omoluabi, we must understand that politics is not a do-or-die affair. Political differences should never become reasons to threaten our peace, unity or brotherhood,” he said.

Salaam urged Adeleke to use his second term to reflect on areas where his administration had fallen short, while consolidating on its achievements.

“Your Excellency, as you commence another term in office, I urge you to use this mandate as an opportunity to reflect on the areas where your administration may have fallen short, improve upon them and consolidate on the gains already recorded,” he said.

He added that governance was a continuous process and every administration had areas requiring “reflection, correction and improvement.”

Salaam also called on the governor to work for the benefit of all residents of the state, irrespective of party affiliation.

“Osun belongs to all of us. Beyond party lines and political differences, our collective responsibility is to build a state where every citizen can live with dignity, security and hope for a better future,” he said.

He wished Adeleke a successful second term, saying it should bring “greater development, peace and prosperity” to the people of Osun State.

“Politics is not a do-or-die affair. The people have spoken; democracy has prevailed,” Salaam said.

Adeleke of the Accord party emerged victorious in the Osun State governorship election, securing a total of 511,067 votes.

His closest challenger, the All Progressives Congress candidate, polled 444,815 votes, while the African Democratic Congress candidate, Najeem Salaam, secured 17,180 votes.