Osun polls, Adeleke’s victory and the power of volunteers

By: Ariyo Adeola

THE governorship election in Osun State which was held on August 15, 2026 was an election of many colours. There were party men who were out to defend their party. But beside the political structures lie the volunteers who contributed within and outside formal structures.

One of such is the effort led by Dr. Akindele Asekunle, which, many will now agree has set the stage for what has been described as the silent story of a critical player From llutitun, Okitipupa local government in Ondo State to the political landscape of Osun State, the story of Dr. Akindele Adekunle is one of political organization, public service, and strategic leadership.

Sometimes, the people who make history are not always the ones standing at the centre of the celebration. Some are the people who quietly build the foundation, organize the structure, mobilize the people, and create the conditions upon which victory becomes possible.

Dr. Akindele Adekunle, originally from llutitun, Okitipupa local government in Ondo State, is one name that has become associated with the political journey and development of a political administration of “IMOLE” in Osun State.

About four years ago, he was appointed as the Caretaker Chairman, at a critical period in the political process that eventually produced the victory of Ademola Adeleke the Osun State Governor.

His role during that period, as the Caretaker Chairman was so significant as he was at the center of political organization and mobilisation that accompanied the electoral victory.

The result was significant, the political structure recorded victories across several legislative constituencies, including nine seats in the House of Representatives, three Senate seats, and seats in the State House of Assembly.

Those victories did not happen in isolation.

Elections are won through people, structures, strategy, organization, communication and sustained grassroots engagement. Behind every major electoral victory are individuals whose contributions may not always receive the attention they deserve.

And that is where the story of Dr. Akindele Adekunle becomes particularly noteworthy.

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On August 15, 2026, Osun State again witnessed another important electoral contest, with the incumbent Governor seeking another mandate.

According to the account provided, Dr. Adekunle once again played a significant role in the political process that contributed to the Governor’s victory.

Whether one looks at his earlier involvement or his participation in the latest electoral contest, one theme runs through the story: building and sustaining political structures.

The larger lesson is that political success is rarely created overnight. It is often the product of years of organization, relationships, experience and institutional understanding.

Perhaps the most interesting dimension of Dr. Adekunle’s story is his origin.

He is not originally from Osun State.

He is a son of Ondo State, from llutitun, Okitipupa Local Government. Yet, his political and public-service journey has taken him beyond the boundaries of his immediate community and into the political affairs of another state.

His experience in Osun therefore presents an interesting case study in how leadership experience, political organization and public-service exposure can travel beyond geographical boundaries.

For Ondo State, the story is worth examining-not as a promise of what one individual must do, but as an example of what experience gained elsewhere can potentially bring into conversations about the future of the state.

The story of Dr. Akindele Adekunle is ultimately bigger than one election.

It is a story about experience, political organization, public service and the importance of building foundations before expecting results.

The victories celebrated today are often connected to structures built yesterday.

And sometimes, when history records the people who stood at the front of a victory, it is equally important to remember the people who helped build the foundation upon which that victory stood.

Dr. Akindele Adekunle’s journey—from Ilutitun, Okitipupa local government in Ondo State to a significant role in Osun’s political story—is one that deserves attention, documentation and objective assessment.

The question for the future is not simply where an individual has served before, but what lessons, experience and capacity can be drawn from that journey and brought into the service of the people.

The foundation matters. The experience matters. And the record deserves to be examined

For Ondo State, this is where the story becomes even more important. Leadership is not only about occupying an office; it is about having the experience, capacity, discipline and understanding required to turn opportunities into results. A state like Ondo needs leaders who understand that development is built through people, institutions, planning, accountability and sustained engagement with communities.

Dr. Akindele Adekunle’s experience outside Ondo State should therefore be viewed as an asset worthy of public attention. His political journey in Osun has exposed him to political administration, grassroots mobilization, electoral organization, stakeholder management and the challenges of sustaining political structures. These experiences can provide useful lessons for the future of Ondo State.

Ondo State deserves leaders who can look beyond personal ambition and understand the wider responsibility of leadership. The people need leadership that can connect government with the grassroots, listen to communities, build trust, coordinate people and pursue results with consistency. They need individuals who understand that political structures are not merely instruments for winning elections, but platforms through which citizens can be represented.

This is why people with proven political and organizational experience should matter in the conversation about Ondo State’s future.

Dr. Akindele’s story provides an opportunity for Ondo people to ask important questions:

What has he learned? What capacity has he developed? What leadership lessons can he bring home? How can his experience be translated into better opportunities, stronger institutions and more responsive governance?

Dr. Akindele Adekunle should therefore not be judged merely by where he comes from or the positions he has occupied. His record, experience, relationships, organizational capacity and understanding of public service should be examined on their own merit.

If the experience gained in Osun can be brought back and deployed positively in Ondo State, then Ondo people have reason to pay attention to one of their own.

The time has come for Ondo State to look beyond names and examine competence, experience, character and ability. In that conversation, the story of Dr. Akindele Adekunle deserves a place.

•Ariyo Adeola, the Assistant State Teasurer of Ondo State PDP, writes from Akure.