The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the incumbent Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, winner of the state’s governorship election.
Adeleke, who contested on the platform of the Accord Party after leaving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), defeated his closest rival, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), alongside 13 other candidates.
The returning officer announced Adeleke as the winner in the early hours of Sunday after votes were collated from the state’s 30 local government areas.
Oyebamiji, a former Osun State Commissioner for Finance, finished second, while Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) came third.
INEC said 15 political parties took part in the election, with 1,906,390 Permanent Voter Cards collected ahead of the poll.
Adeleke’s campaign focused largely on his administration’s record in infrastructure, economic development, healthcare, pension payments and digital transformation.
The governor secured victories in several local government areas, including Osogbo, Oriade, Orolu, Ife Central, Ife North, Ilesha West, Ede South, Ifedayo, Boluwaduro, Iwo and Ifelodun.
Oyebamiji, meanwhile, won in Ilesha East, Boripe, Irepodun, Obokun and Atakumosa West.
Before the election, Adeleke had raised concerns about alleged attempts to disrupt the electoral process and promised to establish an independent commission of inquiry into reported killings and other incidents of violence connected to the poll.
The governor also highlighted what he described as achievements in strengthening Osun’s economy, improving infrastructure, clearing outstanding obligations and expanding digital transformation.
The victory gives Adeleke another mandate following his 2022 election win, when he defeated then-incumbent Governor Gboyega Oyetola in a closely contested election.
