…Obasanjo, Ooni, others react to Adeleke’s re-election
The United Kingdom has congratulated Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke on his re-election but raised concerns over vote-buying, voter interference, accessibility challenges and delays linked to the deployment of BVAS during the August 15 governorship election.
The British High Commission said the election was largely peaceful and praised Osun voters for their participation, while urging Nigeria’s electoral institutions and other stakeholders to address shortcomings identified during the poll ahead of the 2027 general election.
In a statement, the commission said it had engaged with a range of stakeholders before election day and deployed accredited observers across Osun State.
It said observations from its own team, alongside findings from credible independent election-monitoring organisations, showed several positive aspects of the electoral process.
These included the opening of polling units as scheduled in many locations, the commitment of security personnel to maintaining order and the effective implementation of electoral procedures by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The UK also commended the resilience and participation of voters throughout the election.
UK Flags Vote-Buying, Accessibility Challenges
Despite the generally peaceful conduct of the election, the British High Commission said several issues could undermine public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.
It highlighted reports of isolated incidents that created tension before and during the election, as well as continued voter interference, including alleged vote-buying across political parties.
The commission also raised concerns about the accessibility of polling and voting arrangements for persons with disabilities and elderly voters.
Another concern was overcrowding at some polling locations, which it partly attributed to the limited availability and slow deployment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
The UK urged Nigerian institutions to review the challenges identified during the election and implement lessons from the Osun experience before the 2027 general election.
It specifically pointed to recommendations from credible civil society election-monitoring groups, including the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, as potentially useful in improving transparency, accountability and public confidence.
The commission cautioned that some logistical advantages available during an off-cycle governorship election—such as the ability to deploy additional personnel and resources—could be more difficult to replicate during a nationwide election.
It reaffirmed its commitment to working with Nigeria’s electoral institutions, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to support peaceful, transparent, inclusive and credible elections.
Obasanjo Urges Adeleke to Deliver Good Governance
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo also congratulated Adeleke following his re-election, paying an unscheduled visit to the governor at his country home in Ede on Sunday night.
Obasanjo, accompanied by Otunba Fasawe, was received by Adeleke, who welcomed him with a celebratory dance.
The former president prayed for Adeleke’s continued success and urged him to focus on good governance and delivering tangible benefits to the people of Osun.
“Continue to deliver good governance. Continue to meet the needs of your people,” Obasanjo told the governor.
Adeleke expressed appreciation for the visit and pledged to remain committed to serving the people of Osun State.
The governor said he would not disappoint God, the people of Osun and supporters of democracy who contributed to his victory.
His deputy, Kola Adewusi, was also present during the visit.
Ooni Calls for Unity After Election
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, congratulated Adeleke and said the conclusion of the election should mark the beginning of a new chapter of unity and reconciliation in Osun State.
The monarch described Adeleke’s victory as a renewed mandate and an opportunity to accelerate the development of the state.
He urged political actors to put their differences aside and work collectively in the interest of Osun residents.
According to the Ooni, Adeleke’s renewed mandate carries a responsibility to govern the entire state regardless of political affiliation, ethnic background, religious belief or geographical location.
“The election is over, but the work of building a stronger, more prosperous and peaceful Osun has only just begun,” he said.
The monarch also called on Adeleke to extend an olive branch to political opponents and work towards healing divisions created during the election campaign.
Bala Mohammed Says Osun Vote Shows Tinubu Is a Democrat
Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed commended President Bola Tinubu over the outcome of the Osun election, saying the president had allowed voters to determine their preferred candidate.
Speaking after casting his ballot during Bauchi State’s local government election, Mohammed said the era of manipulating election results should be over.
He argued that politicians could no longer rely solely on federal power or political structures to secure electoral victories.
“You cannot sit at home and assume that the federal government will give you the advantage to win an election,” Mohammed said, describing Tinubu as a democrat.
He said the Osun election demonstrated that voters could determine the outcome of an election when their votes were allowed to count.
Abiodun Says Osun Poll Strengthened Nigeria’s Democracy
Ogun State Governor and Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum, Dapo Abiodun, also congratulated Adeleke.
Abiodun described the result as a reflection of the choice of Osun voters and evidence of the resilience of Nigeria’s democracy.
He praised residents for maintaining peace before, during and after the election and urged political actors to prioritise the state’s unity and development over partisan interests.
Abiodun also commended President Tinubu for what he described as providing a level playing field for the participating parties and candidates.
He urged all contestants and their supporters to accept the result in the spirit of sportsmanship and wished Adeleke a successful second term.
Senate Leader Calls for Acceptance of Election Result
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele urged all candidates to respect the decision of Osun voters.
He specifically called on the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, to congratulate Adeleke and offer policy ideas that could help improve governance in the state.
Bamidele said the electorate remained the ultimate arbiter in a democracy.
He also said the result provided lessons for the APC ahead of the 2027 elections, particularly on the need to improve its campaign strategy and strengthen grassroots engagement.
He urged Adeleke to use his renewed mandate to reunite Osun residents across political divides and build an inclusive administration.
Accord Says Victory Shows Power of the People
Accord National Chairman Maxwell Mgbudem described Adeleke’s victory as a demonstration of the ability of voters to determine political outcomes.
Speaking in Osogbo, Mgbudem alleged that the election campaign was characterised by intimidation, harassment, arrests and the use of federal agencies against his party.
He also called for the release of Accord members and supporters whom he said remained in detention in Abuja, Nasarawa and Osun states.
Mgbudem argued that the conclusion of the election should pave the way for the release of those detained in connection with the political contest.
The allegations were made by the Accord chairman and were not independently established in the statement.
Aregbesola Urges Adeleke to Govern With Fairness
Former Osun State Governor and National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rauf Aregbesola, congratulated Adeleke and urged him to use his renewed mandate to unite the state.
Aregbesola called on the governor to extend a hand of fellowship to political opponents and govern fairly.
He also commended ADC governorship candidate Najeem Salaam for what he described as a dignified response to the election result.
Salaam separately appealed to political stakeholders to put party affiliations aside and unite around the development of Osun State.
He said the choice of the electorate should be respected in any democratic society.
Opposition Parties Draw Lessons Ahead of 2027
The Osun result has already triggered broader political debate ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general election.
Former PDP Deputy National Chairman Olabode George described the election as an affirmation of the power of voters and urged political leaders to respect the electorate’s mandate.
He said the peaceful conclusion of the election should provide a model for the 2027 elections, arguing that Nigerians should be allowed to freely choose their leaders.
The Social Democratic Party (SDP), meanwhile, said the result had challenged the perception that the APC was politically invincible.
SDP National Chairman Sadiq Gombe said the election demonstrated that voters could overcome incumbency, political machinery and financial inducements when they were determined to support a particular candidate.
He said the outcome should serve as a warning to political parties ahead of 2027 that voter confidence would remain critical to electoral success.
Ohanaeze Urges Tinubu to Focus on Performance
Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide urged President Tinubu to draw lessons from the Osun election and focus his 2027 strategy on measurable achievements and credible performers.
The group advised the president not to rely exclusively on assurances from APC governors and party structures.
According to its Deputy President General, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, Nigerian voters are becoming more focused on accountability, visible development and improvements in living standards.
The organisation argued that political performance and public confidence would increasingly determine electoral outcomes.
Election Monitors Commend INEC
The Coalition of Democrats for Electoral Reform (CODER) commended INEC, security agencies and Osun voters for the conduct of the election.
The group said the electoral commission had improved in logistics, deployment of personnel and materials, voter accreditation, result collation and the uploading of polling-unit results on the IReV portal.
CODER also praised the use of BVAS and IReV, saying the technology contributed to transparency and public confidence.
The assessment contrasts with the UK’s concerns over the speed and availability of BVAS at some polling locations, underscoring the need for INEC to address operational challenges before the 2027 nationwide elections.
Lawmakers Demand Probe Into Election Violence
A bipartisan group of members of the House of Representatives called for accountability over violence and reported loss of lives associated with the Osun election.
The Save Democracy Group also urged an investigation into a widely circulated video in which a political figure was allegedly heard making comments interpreted as encouraging violence against supporters of Accord.
The group said an investigation should proceed despite the politician’s denial of inciting violence.
The lawmakers maintained that loss of life should never become an accepted feature of electoral competition in Nigeria.
Police Warn Against Forceful Takeover of LGAs
Meanwhile, the Osun State Police Command warned political actors against attempting to forcefully take control of local government areas.
Police Commissioner (Election) Samuel Etaifo Erale said reports of plans by individuals or groups to occupy local government premises were concerning, particularly because related disputes remained before the courts.
The police said no political group or individual had the right to use force or resort to self-help while judicial proceedings were ongoing.
It warned that anyone attempting to forcibly occupy or disrupt local government facilities could face arrest and prosecution.
The command urged political, traditional, community and youth leaders to restrain their supporters and called on residents to remain calm while allowing the courts to determine outstanding disputes.
Osun Election Sets Early Test for 2027
The contrasting reactions to the Osun election highlight both progress and persistent challenges in Nigeria’s electoral system.
While international observers, political leaders and civil society groups have praised the largely peaceful conduct of the poll, concerns over vote-buying, accessibility, technology deployment and isolated incidents of violence remain significant.
With the 2027 general election approaching, the experience of Osun is likely to provide an important test of Nigeria’s ability to combine technological reforms with efficient election logistics, voter protection and credible enforcement of electoral rules.
For political parties, the result also sends a broader message: electoral structures remain important, but voter confidence, campaign performance and the credibility of candidates could prove increasingly decisive in Nigeria’s next national elections.
With an additional report from ThisDay Newspaper