By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has commended the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, for advocating peace following his recent visit to President Bola Tinubu, describing the initiative as a positive tone after weeks of a heated campaign and election season.
The Governor, who also met with President Tinubu on Thursday, 20 August, 2026 disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday, 21 August, 2026 by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, noting that the peace advocacy was a welcome development for the people of Osun, who endured trauma and violence in the months leading up to last Saturday’s elections.
Adeleke welcomed the call for restraint across all political parties, stressing that his camp never resorted to violence as a campaign tool despite facing severe pressure during the countdown to the polls.
Reflecting on the pre-election climate of fear and conflict, the governor recounted the difficulty of holding back his supporters from retaliating against attacks, disclosing that the Accord Party suffered significant losses, including 15 members killed, 20 injured and scores detained by the police.
“I am forever a man of peace. It is heartwarming that my brother, Oyebamiji, is also preaching peace. I assure him that my supporters have not attacked and will not attack APC members,” Adeleke stated.
“Elections have come and gone, and we are all winners. Our common task now is to sustain the delivery of democratic dividends and good governance to the good people of Osun State. I welcome Mr Gboyega Oyetola, Bola Oyebamiji, and other opposition leaders to join hands with me to take Osun to greater heights. We are all important stakeholders in this Osun project,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Imole Campaign Council (TICC), which championed the re-election campaign of Governor Adeleke, has expressed profound gratitude to the people of Osun State for their steadfast support, which ensured the governor’s success at the polls.
The council, in a letter of appreciation jointly signed on Friday by its Director-General and Secretary, Senator Lere Oyewumi and Prince Bola Ajao, respectively, also extended deep appreciation to traditional rulers for their continuous prayers throughout the electoral process.
“We extend our deepest appreciation and gratitude to the good people of Osun State for the confidence, support, prayers, sacrifices, and unwavering commitment demonstrated throughout our journey. The victory we celebrate today belongs, first and foremost, to God Almighty and to the good people of Osun State. It is a testament to the strength of your faith in the Imole vision and your determination to see Osun continue on the path of progress, development, and good governance,” the statement read.
The council further appreciated the state’s traditional and religious leaders, describing their wisdom, dignity and prayers as invaluable to the success of the campaign.
“To our Royal Fathers and Traditional Rulers, we salute your wisdom, dignity, and invaluable counsel. Your leadership remains a pillar of our communities, and we deeply appreciate your prayers and support. To our religious leaders, both Christian and Muslim, we are grateful for your prayers, guidance, and continued commitment to peace, unity, and the wellbeing of our state,” the statement added.
TICC also commended party faithful, market women, artisans, traders, farmers, transport workers, civil servants, youth groups, student bodies, non-indigene communities, elder statesmen, industrialists and entrepreneurs for their various contributions to the governor’s victory.
“To our party faithful and loyal supporters who stood firm through every stage of the journey, we say thank you. Your dedication, resilience, and belief in the cause were instrumental to this moment. To our market women, artisans, traders, farmers, and transport workers, who constitute the heartbeat of Osun’s everyday economy, we appreciate your sacrifices, your voices, and your steadfast support,” the council stated.
It further appreciated the workers of the state, describing their dedication as central to the functioning of government, while commending the youths and student bodies for bringing their energy and hope for the future into the campaign.
“To the workers of Osun State, whose dedication keeps our state functioning, we recognise and honour your contribution to the growth and development of our dear state. To our youth groups and student bodies, thank you for bringing your energy, ideas, determination, and hope for the future into this journey. The future of Osun belongs to you, and your voice matters,” the statement read.
The council also appreciated non-indigenes living in the state, elder statesmen, and industrialists for their confidence in the Osun project, extending gratitude to every citizen of the state, both at home and in the diaspora, whose support sustained the campaign.
“And to every citizen of Osun State at home and in the diaspora, including those whose names may never appear in newspapers or on campaign platforms, but whose prayers, encouragement, resources, and goodwill sustained this journey we see you, we value you, and we thank you,” the statement added.
TICC noted that while the journey was not without challenges, the steadfastness of the people reminded the council that when citizens unite behind a vision, no obstacle can extinguish their collective hope, adding that victory itself was not the destination but a renewed responsibility to serve, listen, unite and deliver on the aspirations of the people.
“We therefore make a solemn commitment: the trust you have placed in the Imole vision will never be taken for granted. May we continue to work together across political, religious, ethnic, generational, and social lines to build an Osun State that we can all be proud to call home,” the council stated.
