#OsunDecides2026: Tinubu congratulated Adeleke before INEC declared Osun result — Campaign spokesperson

The recent Osun State governorship election has drawn significant attention, not just for its outcome, but for the reported actions of President Bola Tinubu. The Imole Campaign Council's spokesperson, Pelumi Olajengbesi, lauded Tinubu for his alleged congratulatory call to Governor Ademola Adeleke prior to the official declaration of results by INEC. This gesture, if confirmed, signals a potentially evolving political culture in Nigeria where presidential impartiality in state elections is prioritized, even across party lines. Such an approach could foster greater confidence in the electoral process and reduce the often-contentious post-election disputes that plague Nigerian politics.

Pelumi Olajengbesi

Pelumi Olajengbesi, representing the Imole Campaign Council, played a pivotal role in framing the narrative around the Osun election. His public commendation of President Tinubu underscored the campaign's satisfaction with the electoral process, particularly in light of previous appeals for intervention against alleged political violence and repression. Olajengbesi's statements suggest that the presidential directive for security agencies to remain professional and neutral was effective in ensuring a credible poll. This perspective is crucial as it comes from a camp that had previously expressed significant concerns about security and fairness leading up to the election.

Olajengbesi's remarks also emphasized Governor Adeleke's focus on the people and his stance against politics being a "do-or-die affair." This narrative aims to portray the victory as a manifestation of the people's will and a testament to Adeleke's performance. The spokesperson's assertion that the election was "credible, free and fair" provides a strong endorsement of the process, despite the underlying tensions and accusations that characterized the pre-election period.

Governor Ademola Adeleke

Governor Ademola Adeleke's re-election for a second term marks a significant political development in Osun State. His victory, securing 511,067 votes against Bola Oyebamiji's 444,815, demonstrates a clear mandate from the electorate. This win is particularly notable as Adeleke contested under the Accord Party banner, having previously been elected in 2022 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party. His shift in party affiliation and subsequent victory highlight the dynamic nature of Nigerian state politics and the potential for candidates to transcend traditional party loyalties.

Prior to the election, Adeleke had actively sought President Tinubu's intervention regarding alleged killings and political repression, indicating the high stakes and fraught atmosphere surrounding the contest. His eventual victory, coupled with the reported presidential congratulation, could be interpreted as a validation of his appeals and a sign of a more level playing field. The people of Osun State, according to the campaign council, have renewed his mandate, signaling approval of his performance and a desire for continuity in leadership.

Accord Party

The Accord Party's success in the Osun State governorship election, with Governor Ademola Adeleke as its candidate, represents a notable shift in the state's political landscape. Adeleke's move from the Peoples Democratic Party to the Accord Party for the 2026 election demonstrates strategic political maneuvering and the capacity of smaller parties to achieve significant electoral victories when backed by popular candidates. This outcome challenges the dominance of the two major parties, the APC and PDP, in some Nigerian states, suggesting a growing fluidity in voter allegiance.

Leading up to the election, the Accord Party, through the Imole Campaign Council, was vocal about its concerns regarding security and electoral integrity. The party's petition to the British High Commission and the Inspector-General of Police underscores the perceived need for external and internal oversight to ensure a fair process. The subsequent backing of President Tinubu's directive for security agencies to remain neutral indicates a strategic alignment with efforts to safeguard the credibility of the poll. While the election was commended for its fairness, allegations of vote-buying and other infractions, raised by groups like SERAP, suggest that the Accord Party's victory might still face scrutiny regarding the broader conduct of the election.