Former President Olusegun Obasanjo paid an unannounced congratulatory visit to Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke on Sunday, August 16, hours after the incumbent was declared the winner of Saturday's governorship election. The visit was captured in a trending video showing the two leaders dancing together, signaling a moment of political camaraderie.
Election Results and Margin of Victory
Adeleke, who ran on the Accord Party platform, polled 511,067 votes to defeat his closest rival, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who garnered 444,815 votes. The margin of victory stood at more than 66,000 votes, a decisive outcome that underscored the governor's popularity.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Adeleke the winner on Sunday, August 16, following the conclusion of the collation process. The declaration came after a closely watched election that tested the Accord Party's hold on the state against a strong challenge from the APC, which had hoped to reclaim the governorship.
How Adeleke Won Across Osun
The re-elected governor carried 19 of the state's 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji won in 11. Adeleke's victories spanned a broad stretch of the state, covering Ede North, Ede South, Ejigbo, Iwo, Egbedore, Ife North, Ife East, Ife Central, Oriade, Ifelodun, Orolu, Ayedaade, Ayedire, Odo Otin, Boluwaduro, Ilesa West, Ifedayo and Osogbo, among others.
This broad geographic support demonstrated the governor's appeal across diverse communities, from urban centers like Osogbo to rural areas, consolidating his political base in the south-western state.
Obasanjo's Surprise Visit
Obasanjo's visit to the Osun governor's residence came shortly after the results were announced, signalling the elder statesman's interest in the political outcome of the south-western state. The former president, who has historically wielded considerable influence in Nigerian politics, made the trip without prior public notice.
The trending video of their dance has been widely shared on social media, with many interpreting it as a show of support for Adeleke's re-election. Obasanjo's presence underscored the significance of the election, which was seen as a barometer for political alignments in the region.
Adeleke's Wife Reacts to Victory
Previously, Legit.ng reported that Governor Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke of Osun State had been re-elected for a second term, with his wife, Ambassador Erelu Ngozi Abeni Adeleke, publicly celebrating the outcome on Sunday, August 16. In a message shared via her official Instagram account, @officialerelungoziadeleke, the governor's wife congratulated her husband on what she described as a "well-deserved victory," expressing deep gratitude to the people of Osun State for their support at the polls.
The victory marks a continuation of Adeleke's governance, with his administration expected to build on its achievements in the coming term. The election outcome also solidifies the Accord Party's presence in Osun, setting the stage for future political contests in the state.
