Aregbesola Congratulates Adeleke, Urges Osun Governor to Unite the State

Former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola has congratulated Governor Ademola Adeleke on his victory in the state's governorship election, calling on him to use his renewed mandate to promote unity and development.

Adeleke was declared the winner of the August 15, 2026 governorship election, securing another term as governor of Osun State.

In a message released after the election, Aregbesola said the result represented the decision of Osun voters and should be respected.

“People of Osun State have spoken through the ballot, their decision must be respected,” Aregbesola said in a statement reported by TheCable.

He subsequently congratulated Adeleke and urged the governor to make unity and inclusive governance central to his second term.

Aregbesola Calls for Unity

Aregbesola, who governed Osun between 2010 and 2018, said Adeleke's renewed mandate should provide an opportunity to bring people across political divides together.

The former governor urged Adeleke to govern for all residents of the state, regardless of which political party they supported during the election.

Premium Times reported that Aregbesola specifically called on the governor to use the new mandate to unite the state and deepen development.

The message comes at an important moment for Osun, where the election campaign was marked by intense political competition between the major parties.

Political Leaders Rally Around the Result

Aregbesola is not the only prominent political figure to react to Adeleke's re-election.

Several political leaders have congratulated the governor and called for unity following the poll.

According to ARISE News, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele and other political figures welcomed Adeleke's victory while urging the governor to focus on governance.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo also congratulated Adeleke and urged him to continue delivering good governance, while traditional and political leaders called for the election to mark the beginning of a new chapter for the state.

Osun Workers Celebrate

The election result has also prompted celebrations among some residents and civil servants.

The PUNCH reported that Osun State civil servants gathered at the state secretariat in Abere on Monday to celebrate Adeleke's re-election.

A video shared by an X user showed workers dancing and celebrating within the secretariat premises.

The scenes have added to the public reaction following the election, although celebrations in one location should not be interpreted as representing every resident's view of the result.

Aregbesola's Message Carries Political Significance

Aregbesola's congratulatory message is notable because of his history in Osun politics and his previous role as governor.

He was elected governor of Osun in 2010 and re-elected in 2014 before leaving office in 2018.

He later served as Nigeria's Minister of Interior and is now the National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

His decision to publicly recognise Adeleke's victory therefore adds another significant voice to the post-election conversation.

Rather than challenging the outcome, Aregbesola's message focused on respecting the voters' decision and encouraging the governor to make the most of the mandate.

What People Are Saying Online

The Osun election remains a major subject of discussion across Nigerian social media.

On X, users have continued to share videos of celebrations and debate what Adeleke's victory means for Osun politics and the wider political landscape ahead of 2027.

One widely shared video showed Osun workers celebrating at the state secretariat following the declaration of Adeleke as winner.

At the same time, online discussions remain divided along political lines. Some users have interpreted Adeleke's victory as evidence that voters rejected efforts to change the state's leadership, while others have questioned the political alliances that could emerge following the election.

There has also been discussion about Adeleke's relationship with the wider political establishment and what his second term could mean for the 2027 elections.

However, those online interpretations remain opinions and political speculation, rather than established consequences of the election result.

The Challenge Ahead for Adeleke

With the election behind him, attention will now turn from campaigning to governance.

Aregbesola's call for unity reflects one of the immediate challenges facing the governor: governing a state where political competition remains intense.

The governor will also face expectations over infrastructure, employment, education, healthcare and economic development as he begins his second term.

The post-election period provides an opportunity for the administration to shift attention away from political competition and towards the policies and projects that affect residents.

A New Chapter for Osun

The latest reactions suggest that the political conversation in Osun is already moving beyond the election itself.

For Adeleke, the renewed mandate provides another opportunity to consolidate his administration's policies and demonstrate that the confidence placed in him by voters can translate into tangible improvements.

For the opposition, the result presents an opportunity to reassess its strategy ahead of future elections.

And for Aregbesola, his message is a call for the political class to respect the outcome and focus on the state's future.

As celebrations continue in parts of Osun, the more important test will begin after the excitement of election night fades: whether the renewed mandate can translate into stronger governance and broader development across the state.

Sources

• TheCable — Aregbesola's congratulatory message and call for respect for Osun voters' decision.

• Premium Times — Aregbesola's call for Adeleke to unite Osun and deepen development.

• The PUNCH — Osun workers' celebrations following Adeleke's re-election.

• The Guardian — reactions from Aregbesola, Obasanjo and other political figures.

• ARISE News — reactions from Nigerian political leaders and calls for unity after the election.

• THISDAY — reactions to the Osun election and issues raised concerning the conduct of the poll.