The defeat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State’s 15 August governorship election was more than another change in the state’s political map. It marked the failure of the party’s attempt to return to the Government House four years after its candidate, Gboyega Oyetola, lost the seat to Ademola Adeleke in the 2022 election.
For Mr Adeleke, the victory was the culmination of a political journey that began less than a decade ago and was shaped by a powerful family name, an upset senatorial victory, a bitterly contested governorship election, a year of litigation over credibility of the 2018 election and, eventually, two successful bids for the state’s highest political office.
In the 15 August governorship election, Mr Adeleke, the Accord Party candidate, defeated his closest challenger, Bola Oyebamiji of the APC, to secure another four-year term. Mr Adeleke polled 511,067 votes against Mr Oyebamiji’s 444,815, according to the results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The governor was presented a certificate of return on Wednesday in Osogbo by INEC National Commissioner representing the South-west, Kunle Ajayi. At the event, Mr Adeleke announced plans to establish a N500 million endowment fund for victims of election-related violence.
