Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has welcomed the call for peace by All Progressives Congress governorship candidate Bola Oyebamiji, days after the keenly contested August 15 election.
Adeleke described Oyebamiji’s position as a positive development after weeks of intense political campaigning and heightened tensions across Osun State.
The governor’s position was contained in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, in Osogbo on Friday.
According to the statement, Adeleke said the appeal for peace was particularly important given the tension and reports of political violence that characterised the build-up to the election.
“I am forever a man of peace. It is heartwarming that my brother, Oyebamiji, is also preaching peace,” Adeleke was quoted as saying.
The governor also assured APC supporters that his supporters would not attack members of the opposition party.
“Elections have come and gone and we are all winners. The common task for us all is to sustain delivery of democratic dividends and good governance to the good people of Osun State,” he said.
Adeleke further called on former governor and current Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, Oyebamiji and other opposition leaders to work with his administration for the development of the state.
“I welcome Mr Gboyega Oyetola, Bola Oyebamiji and other opposition leaders to join hands with me to take Osun to greater heights. We are all important stakeholders in this Osun project,” the governor said.
The statement also referred to the political violence and tension experienced during the election season. Adeleke said he had worked to restrain his supporters from retaliating against attacks.
The governor’s spokesperson alleged that 15 Accord members were lost, 20 injured and several others detained during the period.
Oyebamiji had earlier urged calm during the August 15 voting exercise, saying security-related concerns should be handled by the appropriate authorities.
The call for peace came after a closely fought election in which Adeleke, who contested on the Accord Party platform, defeated Oyebamiji of the APC.
The Independent National Electoral Commission declared Adeleke the winner after he secured 511,067 votes, while Oyebamiji polled 444,815 votes.
Adeleke won 19 of Osun’s 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji won 11.
The result secured Adeleke another term in office after a campaign marked by intense rivalry between the two major political camps.
Oyebamiji has said he respects INEC’s decision but indicated support for his party’s review of the election outcome.
Adeleke’s response to the APC candidate’s peace message could therefore mark the beginning of a post-election effort to reduce tensions and redirect political competition towards governance.
The governor urged opposition leaders to join hands with his administration, stressing that all political actors remain stakeholders in the state.
For Osun residents, the focus now shifts from the election campaign to governance, political reconciliation and the resolution of any post-election grievances through lawful channels.
