From Ganiyu Olarewaju (Oshogbo)

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has countered claims by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) that it formed an alliance with the re elected Accord Party candidate to defeat the All Progressives Congress (APC) on last Saturday’s election 

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) said On Tuesday  that it worked with the Accord Party during the August 15 Osun governorship election to prevent the All Progressives Congress (APC) from winning the poll, 

The ADC national publicity secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi made the disclosure while speaking on Trust TV about the outcome of the election., where the party’s candidate, Najeem Salaam, came a distant third, polling only 17,180 votes, while Accord candidate and incumbent governor, Ademola Adeleke, won with 511,067 votes. with the APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji polling 444,815 votes to come second 

Abdullahi said the ADC anticipated that a division of opposition votes could hand victory to the APC, prompting the party to consider collaboration with Accord.

“We saw the possibility of collaboration. We saw the possibility earlier enough that if we decided to go full throttle, the possibility that the opposition would divide the votes and the APC would take the victory was there,” he said.

“And that was why we saw the opportunity to work together, and that was what happened.”

He said the ADC did not regard the 17,180 votes secured by its candidate as a failure because the party’s priority was to prevent the APC from returning to power in Osun.

“That is why we can confidently celebrate what is going on in Osun, because for us, victory means that APC was defeated,” he added.

“So we don’t see the fact that our governorship candidate did not emerge as an occasion of defeat or failure. The failure, the defeat of the APC, was a real victory for us.

 “We cooperated with the Accord party and the decision was supported by the ADC leadership.

Abdullahi said the cooperation demonstrated that opposition parties could defeat the APC in the 2027 presidential election if they united behind a common objective.

“It’s something that was deliberate, and we are glad that the outcome has justified the confidence that everyone has put in the process, and it has proved that the opposition working together can actually defeat this incumbent, no matter how awesome they are,” he said.

But in a swift response, governor Adeleke refuted  the ADC claims insisting that the party  and their supporters did not play any role in his re-election

The governor emphasised that he had no electoral agreement or partnership with the ADC as a political party before, during, or after the governorship election.

Governor Adeleke In a statement issued on Tuesday by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, Governor reiterated that his victory was made possible by God and the people of Osun State.

He emphasised that the ADC was never part of the coalition that campaigned for and supported his bid in last Saturday’s election.

“I commend the political partners who went all out to make Saturday a victory day for all Osun people. However, for the sake of history, we must clarify that the ADC was never part of this alliance,” the governor stated.

He added, “Now that the election is over, I am the governor of all Osun people, irrespective of political affiliation, religion, or race.”

By Ganiyu Olarewaju (Oshogbo)

Even as the re elected governor of Odin state, Ademola Adeleke has reaffirmed his endorsement of president Bola Tinubu’s second term, moments after he was declared winner of Saturday’s governorship election in Odin state, his Campaign Council, the Imole Campaign Council has denied any political agreement behind the governor’s support for President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.

The council noted that Adeleke’s support for Tinubu was based on the President’s performance and reforms, rather than a pre-arranged political deal.

The campaign council made the statement in reaction by to remarks by the Aviation Minister and Aero Space Development ,Festus Keyamo, who noted that “Agreement is Agreement” while congratulating the governor 

Keyamo wrote, “Thank you, Governor Ademola Adeleke, for the public and unequivocal endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu @officialABAT for the 2027 Presidential Election. You are a man of integrity and honour. ‘Agreement is agreement.’”

Reacting to the post, the  Imole campaign council’s spokesperson, Pelumi Olajengbesi, said this in a post on his X handle on Sunday. said the comment should not undermine the choice made by Osun voters in the August 15 governorship election.

He wrote: “Do not undermine the resilience of Osun people. There is no agreement

“Our support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, @officialABAT, is based on his performance and reforms that have strengthened states economically.”

Olajengbesi said Adeleke’s victory was a product of the voters’ decision and maintained that Tinubu only ensured that the democratic process was respected.

“Osun people voted @AAdeleke_01. President Tinubu simply ensured democratic rules were respected,” he said.

By Eze Nnadi 

Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has described  the outcome of Saturday’s governorship election in Odin state as a democratic victory for the people of the state

Obi, who congratulated Governor Ademola Adeleke on his re-election, said the election was a reflection of what will happen in the 2027 general election, noting that all valid votes must be counted 

The former governor of Anambra state in a statement on Sunday, said residents of the state had reaffirmed, through the process, that the power to choose their leaders ultimately belongs to them.

“I warmly congratulate Governor Ademola Adeleke on his re-election and the good people of Osun State on this important democratic victory.

“Through his commitment to the people, compassion for their needs, and the strength of his work and achievements in office, Governor Adeleke has earned their renewed confidence and been entrusted once again with their mandate.”

Obi singled out Osun youths for his praises for their role in safeguarding the electoral process, describing their conduct as an example of civic vigilance.

“I particularly commend the courageous youths of Osun who rose to the occasion and peacefully defended their democratic mandate.

“Their vigilance and determination demonstrate that when citizens stand firmly to protect their votes, the forces of good can overcome the forces of darkness

“The lesson from Osun is clear: democracy is strongest when citizens are alert, conscious of their civic responsibility, and determined to ensure that their votes count.

“Every genuine vote must be respected, and every lawful mandate must be protected,” he said.

He described the Osun election as a pointer to what Nigerians must replicate ahead of the 2027 general election, urging citizens to remain active participants in the democratic process.

“This is also a clarion call as we approach 2027. Nigeriansy must remain informed, participate actively, vote, and protect their votes.

“The Nigerian people are the ones experiencing hunger, deprivation, insecurity, and hardship; therefore, they are also the ones with the power, through their votes, to bring about the change that will end these conditions

“I urge all political actors to place the interests of the people above partisan considerations and to embrace peace, unity, and the rule of law.

“Elections should never be battles of violence, but contests of ideas, competence, character, and service,” he said.

He expressed hope that the Osun experience would serve as inspiration for the rest of the country.

“May the Osun experience strengthen our confidence in the democratic process and inspire Nigerians everywhere to remain vigilant and committed to building a just, secure, prosperous, and truly people-centred nation,” he said.