By Isa Isawade
Governor Ademola Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke of Osun State who just won election to spend a second term in office has been issued certificate of return by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
The certificate of return was presented to Adeleke by INEC Resident Electoral Commissiner for Osun State, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola, at 1:30 PM shortly after the Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi, was given his certificate of return, on Wednesday at the electoral body’s headquarters in Osogbo.
Adeleke of the Accord Party got victorious in the keenly contested election by defeating his closest rival, Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC) with a margin of 66,252 votes.
Adeleke polled 511,067 votes to defeat Oyebamiji, who scored 444,815 votes. ADC candidate Najeem Salaam came a distant third with 17,180 votes. Adeleke won 19 of the state’s 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji won 11.
The Returning Officer, Prof. Ogunwole said Adeleke, “having satisfied the requirement of the law is hereby declared the winner.” It was an announcement that instantly led to eruption of jubilations across the state.
Mrs Babalola said in fulfilment of the statute governing operation of the electoral body, INEC affirmed the will of the electorate in Osun, saying the governor-elect and the deputy-governor elect “are hereby declared duly returned.”
She thanked the stakeholders in the election for making sure that the election was successful, especially the security agencies, NGOs, the media and the traditional leaders in the state.
She commended people’s participation in the election and said the polls made a good showing of 43.2% voters’ participation. She congratulated the governor and urged him to be magnanimous in victory.
The INEC national supervising commissioner, for Osun State Prof Kunle Àjàyí, who handed the certificate to the governor, said “today is a significant day for democracy and the people of Osun.” He congratulated the governor that despite heightened tension and violence during the buildup to the election, the electorate refused to succumb to fear and intimidation.
He said the successful conduct of the election was a testament of the core values of resilience and determination of Osun people.
He pointed out that INEC didn’t come to Osun with a preferred candidate in mind, it came, according to him, to ensure an entrenchment of democracy. He commended the security agencies and said that the world appreciates their sacrifices.
He also commended the party agents for being vigilant and up and doing during the exercise, say their role ensured accountability and transparency.
