Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has secured another term in office after emerging victorious in Saturday’s governorship election.
Adeleke, who contested under the Accord Party, won 19 of the state’s 30 local government areas, defeating his closest rival, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Oyebamiji.
The State Returning Officer, Prof. Joshua Ogunwole, Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, announced Adeleke’s victory at about 7:24 a.m. on Sunday during the final collation of results.
According to the declared figures, Adeleke scored 511,067 votes, while Oyebamiji polled 444,815 votes. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Najeem Salaam, finished third.
Adeleke recorded victories in Ede North, Ede South, Ejigbo, Iwo, Egbedore, Ife North, Ife East, Ife Central, Oriade, Ifelodun, Orolu, Ayedaade, Ayedire, Odo Otin, Boluwaduro, Ilesa West, Ifedayo, Osogbo and other local government areas.
Oyebamiji, meanwhile, secured victories in Irewole, Isokan, Olorunda, Atakumosa East, Atakumosa West, Ilesa East, Boripe, Irepodun and Obokun, among others.
The Returning Officer said a total of 1,010,684 voters were accredited for the election, while 1,005,800 votes were recorded as the total votes cast. Valid votes stood at 985,079, with 207 votes rejected.
After the results had been endorsed by agents representing the participating political parties, Ogunwole formally declared Adeleke the winner.
He said Adeleke had fulfilled the requirements of the law and was therefore returned elected as governor of Osun State.
The declaration brings the governorship contest to a conclusion, with Adeleke set to continue as the state’s chief executive for another term.
