Ademola Adeleke
Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has received his Certificate of Return following his victory in the August 15, 2026 governorship election.
He received the certificate at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office on Wednesday, saying that it “belongs to the people of Osun State”.
An excited Adeleke danced amid cheers and jubilation from Accord Party members and supporters.
Speaking at the ceremony, Adeleke said he had forgiven all those who might have offended him during the state election and declared that he bore no grudge against political adversaries.
“God has fought my battles for me, and so I hold unto God throughout the duration of the political war and now that I have been re-elected,” he said.
“Today is not merely a day for the presentation of a Certificate of Return. It is a day of gratitude, reflection and, above all, appreciation for the people of Osun State who stood firm for democracy.
“This certificate does not belong to Ademola Adeleke alone. It belongs to the people of Osun State, the market men and women, workers, youths, traditional and religious leaders, and every citizen who demonstrates that our democracy cannot be intimidated, purchased or suppressed. I am deeply humbled by your courage and by the confidence you have renewed in me.“
The Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Osun State chapter, Christopher Arapasopo, praised the labour movement on the re-election of Governor Adeleke and announced that in future legislative elections, Osun workers will still vote for Accord candidates.
“We defied attacks and intimidation to support the re-election of Governor Adeleke. We will never bow to those who want to enslave us. We will still vote for Accord in future legislative elections,” the labour leader was quoted as saying.
Governor Adeleke later visited the Ataoja of Osogbo, the Timi of Ede and Senator Oluwole Alabi to present his certificate of return for royal blessings.
Earlier, the INEC National Commissioner for the Osun election, Kunle Ajayi, in his address, commended the passion, the commitment and the activism of Osun voters who he said defied electoral violence and trooped out to exercise their voting rights.
“Osun people are the heroes of the Saturday election. Active citizenry always makes a difference in the conduct of credible elections. Osun people proved to the world that democracy can work when the people are involved,” the INEC commissioner was quoted as saying in a statement by Adeleke media aide, Olawale Rasheed, on Wednesday.
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