Adeleke: From electoral victory to enduring Osun legacy

By Henry Ogunjobi

GOVERNOR Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke deserves warm congratulations on his re-election as Governor of Osun State despite threats, including a senator’s reported statement about killing people, and intimidation from governors who supported his opponents. His victory in the 15 August 2026 governorship election represents more than a personal or party triumph. It is a renewed mandate that brings immense responsibility and an opportunity to consolidate Osun State’s physical, economic and social transformation. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Adeleke of the Accord Party winner after he secured 511,067 votes. His closest challenger, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress, received 444,815 votes, while Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress finished third with 17,180 votes. Adeleke’s winning margin was 66,252 votes. According to the declared results, he also won 19 of the state’s 30 local government areas.  This victory should be received with humility rather than triumphalism. The more than 460,000 valid votes cast for other candidates represent citizens whose concerns and aspirations must also be respected. Adeleke is returning as governor of the entire state—not merely the governor of Accord supporters, the Adeleke political family or the communities where he recorded his strongest results.

An election that was peaceful but imperfect. The election process recorded some encouraging developments. Polling officials and materials arrived early in many locations. Voters demonstrated patience and enthusiasm, while the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System  (BIVAS) functioned effectively in several polling units. Counting took place openly in many locations, and citizens followed uploaded results through the INEC Result Viewing Portal.Citizens of Osun State defended their votes passionately, preventing massive election rigging.  Preliminary reports described the election as largely peaceful, despite the tense and violent political atmosphere that preceded it. Numerous polling units where voting proceeded peacefully and vulnerable voters—including older people, pregnant women and persons with disabilities—received priority assistance. Its assessment nevertheless identified uneven BVAS performance and other technical and operational problems.

These positive aspects must not conceal the serious flaws. Reports identified vote buying, the exposure of marked ballot papers, campaigning around polling units, voter obstruction, impersonation, multiple voting and attempts to influence electoral and security personnel. The EU-supported Election Observation Hub reportedly recorded 323 electoral offences and irregularities in the 726 polling units it monitored by midday. The incidents included 103 reports of vote trading, 85 breaches involving exposed ballot papers and 38 cases of campaigning at polling units.  There were also reports of thuggery, attacks on officials and voter intimidation.Several fatalities linked to election-related violence between May and 13 August 2026. Those deaths represent a grave indictment of the political environment, even though election day itself was generally calmer than many had feared.

The security agencies deserve recognition where their presence prevented disorder, but allegations of partisan arrests and intimidation require independent investigation. Electoral security must protect voters and candidates equally. It must never become an instrument for weakening opposition parties, holding anyone or discouraging legitimate participation. INEC should undertake a transparent post-election review covering late deployment, malfunctioning equipment, ballot secrecy, polling-unit accessibility, the treatment of party agents and the prosecution of electoral offences. Election violations should have consequences; otherwise, vote buying and intimidation will become permanent features of Nigerian democracy.

Consolidating the first-term record. Governor Adeleke’s renewed mandate appears partly rooted in his administration’s visible infrastructure and social-development programmes. The government previously reported the reconstruction and rehabilitation of more than 150 kilometres of roads, approximately 200 primary healthcare centres and about 100 schools. It subsequently launched a second-phase infrastructure programme valued at approximately ₦159.16 billion, covering roads, education, healthcare and urban renewal. Road and bridge projects, drainage improvements, solar street lighting, community water facilities and interventions in schools and health centres have given the administration a tangible record on which citizens could judge it. However, a second term must progress beyond the number of projects announced or commissioned. Osun now requires infrastructure that is technically sound, independently certified, geographically balanced and supported by realistic maintenance plans. The government should establish an independent infrastructure and quality-assurance unit to examine material quality, workmanship, safety, sustainability and value for money. This would reduce premature failures and protect public investment.

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Priorities for the next four years. The first priority should be economic diversification and employment. Infrastructure development must connect with agriculture, agro-processing, mining, tourism, digital enterprise and small-business growth. Osun’s agricultural communities need rural roads, storage centres, irrigation, extension services, mechanisation and reliable access to markets. The mining sector requires transparent licensing, environmental monitoring and arrangements that ensure host communities receive measurable benefits. Education should move beyond renovating school buildings. The government should recruit and train teachers, strengthen science and technical education, improve digital literacy and provide modern laboratories.

Partnerships with universities, technical colleges, employers and private investors could establish innovation centres where young people acquire construction, engineering, agricultural technology, coding and renewable-energy skills.

Healthcare improvements must similarly extend beyond physical renovation. Primary healthcare centres need competent personnel, medicines, reliable electricity, clean water, functioning equipment and effective referral arrangements. Maternal healthcare, health insurance coverage, mental-health services and rural medical access should receive greater attention.

The administration should also prioritise drainage and flood resilience, structured waste management, affordable housing, town planning and the controlled development of peri-urban communities. Osogbo, Ile-Ife, Ilesa, Ede, Ikirun and other expanding towns require enforceable development plans to prevent uncontrolled growth, and environmental deterioration.

Fiscal discipline will be crucial. The government should publish clear quarterly information on revenue, expenditure, debt, contracts and project performance. Internally generated revenue should be expanded through economic growth, digital collection and better administration—not through oppressive taxation of struggling households and small businesses.

Government and citizens share responsibility

Adeleke must build a government founded on competence rather than political patronage. Appointments should reflect ability, integrity, gender inclusion, youth participation and geographical balance. Opposition voices and professional bodies should be treated as contributors to governance, not enemies of the administration.

The people also have responsibilities. Citizens must protect public infrastructure, pay lawful taxes, reject corruption, stop indiscriminate waste disposal and participate in community development. Traditional institutions, religious organisations, professional associations and civil-society groups should monitor projects and demand accountability without becoming extensions of political parties.

Governor Adeleke’s re-election is a substantial achievement, but victory is not the final destination. It is the beginning of a more demanding phase. The first term established his administration’s direction; the second must demonstrate institutional maturity, economic transformation and enduring quality.

Congratulations to Governor Ademola Adeleke and the people of Osun State. May this renewed mandate produce a safer, fairer, more prosperous and united Osun—one in which progress is measured not only by roads and bridges but by the quality, dignity and opportunities available in the daily lives of its citizens.

•Dr Ogunjobi, a UK-based public policy analyst and construction consultant, manages Critical Mission Infrastructure projects in Germany and the Netherlands.