Adeleke’s re-election sparks jubilation across Ede, his hometown, as residents celebrate the Osun governor’s victory and commend INEC for the peaceful conduct of the election.
Jubilation has swept through Ede North and Ede South in Osun State following the declaration of Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party as winner of the August 15 governorship election.
Residents took to the streets on Sunday, dancing, singing and celebrating the governor’s victory after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared him winner of the keenly contested poll.
Reports from Ede, Adeleke’s hometown, showed residents celebrating with motorcycles and vehicles moving through major streets as supporters expressed excitement over his re-election. Similar celebrations were reported in Osogbo and other parts of the state.
Adeleke secured 511,067 votes to defeat his closest challenger, All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate Bola Oyebamiji, who polled 444,815 votes. The governor won 19 of Osun’s 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji won 11.
Residents interviewed in Ede commended INEC for what they described as the generally peaceful and orderly conduct of the election, although some acknowledged that isolated incidents of political violence were recorded during the exercise.
They also urged the electoral commission to address identified lapses ahead of future elections, particularly concerns surrounding the timely uploading and transmission of results.
A civil servant, Mrs. Toyin Odewusi, said the outcome represented the triumph of the electoral process and expressed gratitude that Adeleke emerged victorious.
Odewusi urged the governor not to disappoint residents who came out to vote for him, calling on opposition supporters to support programmes and policies capable of advancing the development of the state.
“According to her, we civil servants are happy because what the governor did for us cannot be overemphasized,” she said.
A business owner in Irewumi community, Ede, Mr. Thomas Babatunde, attributed Adeleke’s victory to what he described as the administration’s commitment to development and excellence.
Babatunde said the projects executed by the administration had influenced voters’ decision to return the governor for another term.
He urged Adeleke to remain committed to the people who supported his re-election and to sustain the pace of development across the state.
Another resident, Ms. Kabirat Abdulquadri of Odomburo, said the significant voter turnout at polling units reflected residents’ interest in the democratic process and their determination to exercise their civic responsibilities.
She also credited the presence of security personnel with contributing to the peaceful conduct of the election.
Abdulquadri commended INEC for uploading election results, despite some delays, saying improvements in the process could strengthen public confidence in elections.
Mrs. Funmi Alabi, a resident of Odomburo-Oloba community in Owode-Ede, also praised INEC and said Adeleke deserved another term based on what she described as his performance during his first four years in office.
She urged political parties, candidates and their supporters to accept the outcome of the election and avoid actions capable of disrupting peace in the state.
The August 15 election featured candidates from 15 political parties and followed months of intense campaigning. Security was heightened across the state amid concerns over possible violence during the poll.
With INEC’s declaration, Adeleke is set to begin another four-year term as governor of Osun State.
The celebrations in Ede underscore the strong local support for the governor following his successful bid for re-election and his return for a second term.
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