OSOGBO, Osun State — History was confirmed in Osun State early Sunday morning as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) formally declared incumbent Governor Ademola Nurudeen-Jackson Adeleke the winner of the August 15 governorship election, securing him a second term in office. The landmark victory was announced by the State Returning Officer at approximately 7:24 AM, bringing to a close a keenly contested electoral process that unfolded across the state’s 30 local government areas.
Professor Joshua Ogunwole, Vice‑Chancellor of the Federal University, Oye Ekiti, who served as the State Returning Officer, officially declared the results after the collation of votes had been completed and duly signed by all party agents. In his formal pronouncement, he stated clearly: “That Ademola Nurudeen‑Jackson Adeleke, having satisfied the requirements of the law, is hereby declared the winner of the August 15 Governorship Election and returned elected.”
Governor Adeleke, standing on the platform of the Accord Party, polled a total of 511,067 valid votes to secure a decisive lead over his closest rival, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who garnered 444,815 votes — a margin of victory exceeding 66,000 votes. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, former Speaker Najeem Salaam, finished in a distant third place with 17,180 votes, while all remaining political parties shared the balance of the votes.
The breadth of Adeleke’s support across the state proved decisive. He secured victory in 19 out of the 30 local government areas, demonstrating broad appeal across Osun’s major population centres. The governor performed strongly in his traditional heartlands — sweeping Ede North, Ede South, Ejigbo, Iwo, and Egbedore — and extended his reach significantly by also clinching the three Ife local government areas (Ife North, Ife East, and Ife Central), as well as the state capital, Osogbo. He also recorded victories in Oriade, Ifelodun, Orolu, Ayedaade, Ayedire, Odo Otin, Boluwaduro, Ilesa West, and Ifedayo.
Bola Oyebamiji of the APC, despite a spirited challenge, could only secure victory in 11 local government areas: Irewole, Isokan, Olorunda, Atakumosa East, Atakumosa West, Ilesa East, Boripe, Irepodun, and Obokun — a distribution that ultimately fell short of the numbers required to overturn the incumbent’s lead.
Electoral statistics indicate robust participation: 1,010,684 voters were accredited, out of which 1,005,800 votes were cast, with only 207 rejected ballots — representing an exceptionally low invalid rate and attesting to the generally orderly conduct of the election. A total of 985,079 valid votes were counted across all political parties. Independent observers, including the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), have already described the election as “largely peaceful,” with no major incidents reported across the state throughout voting and collation.
The outcome represents a remarkable turnaround for Governor Adeleke, who contested this election under the Accord Party banner following his departure from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the lead‑up to the poll. Defying predictions of a fragmented base working against him, he instead consolidated support effectively across traditional and new strongholds alike, running a campaign anchored on his “Imole De!” — or “Light Has Come” — mantra and the achievements of his first term.
Across Osogbo and major towns throughout the state, jubilant supporters poured onto the streets following the declaration, singing, dancing, and chanting praise for the governor’s re‑election. A victory address is expected from Governor Adeleke later today, where he is widely anticipated to thank the people of Osun State and outline his agenda for the second term. All eyes now turn toward the formal swearing‑in ceremony and the beginning of a new chapter in Osun State’s governance.
