Meanwhile, Bamidele stressed that the election result reaffirmed the supremacy of the electorate in a democracy. He noted that the 51.57 percent voter turnout reflected growing confidence in the democratic process. Therefore, he insisted that all candidates must accept and respect the decision of the majority. As he put it, the outcome of the poll placed a significant responsibility on Adeleke to govern inclusively rather than along strict party lines.
Furthermore, Bamidele called on the governor to extend an olive branch to his political rivals. He urged Adeleke to look beyond the platform that produced his victory and build bridges across the state’s political divide. Specifically, he wants the governor to pursue policies capable of strengthening peace, stability, and development for all residents, regardless of their political leanings. In his view, governance must transcend partisanship even when politics itself remains competitive.
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BREAKING: Adeleke Wins Re-Election as Osun State Governor, Secures Second Term
Adeleke, for his part, has already signaled that he expects the gesture from his rival. Speaking shortly after his victory was announced, the governor said he was waiting for Oyebamiji to call him. “I’m expecting Oyebamiji to call me and congratulate me,” Adeleke said. He described the outcome as a win for democracy and credited Osun voters with rewarding his administration’s work in infrastructure, healthcare, and education. So far, however, Oyebamiji has not issued any public statement congratulating the governor.
Elsewhere, other prominent figures have already congratulated Adeleke on his victory. Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun praised the outcome as proof of the resilience of Nigeria’s democracy and wished Adeleke a successful second term. Similarly, Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji urged Adeleke to be magnanimous in victory and to involve other contestants in his new administration. Both governors also commended President Bola Tinubu for ensuring a level playing field throughout the contest.
Additionally, Bamidele took the opportunity to look ahead to the 2027 general elections. He argued that the large turnout in Osun points to growing voter engagement across the South-West region. As a result, he suggested that the APC could still mobilize millions of votes for Tinubu’s re-election bid, provided the party learns the right lessons from its defeat in Osun. Thus, rather than dwelling on the loss, he encouraged party members to strengthen internal cohesion ahead of future contests.
For now, all eyes remain on whether Oyebamiji will heed Bamidele’s call. Since the election results were declared, pressure has mounted on the APC candidate to formally acknowledge Adeleke’s win. Whether he does so in the coming days could shape how smoothly the transition period unfolds and whether Osun’s political class can move past this bruising contest. Ultimately, both sides now face a choice between prolonged rivalry and the kind of reconciliation Bamidele says the state urgently needs.
Tags: Opeyemi Bamidele, Bola Oyebamiji, Ademola Adeleke, Osun election, APC, Osun State governorship, Accord Party
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