Reported by Weng Patrick Atokor | Journalist at Weng Global
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has urged Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, to sustain his commitment to good governance and continue delivering meaningful dividends of democracy to the people of the state.
Obasanjo made the call during a surprise congratulatory visit to Adeleke at his residence in Ede on Sunday, following the governor’s victory in the August 15, 2026 Osun State governorship election.
The visit came shortly after the Independent National Electoral Commission declared Adeleke the winner of the election, giving the incumbent governor another opportunity to lead Osun State.
According to a statement issued by Adeleke’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, Obasanjo was accompanied during the visit by Oyewole Fasawe.
The former President reportedly congratulated Adeleke on the electoral victory and prayed for further success in his administration.
Obasanjo also encouraged the governor not to lose sight of the responsibilities that come with his renewed mandate.
“Continue to deliver good governance. Continue to meet the needs of your people,” Obasanjo told the governor, according to the statement reported by Punch.
Obasanjo’s message after Adeleke’s victory
The former President’s message places emphasis on the period after elections, when campaign promises must translate into policies and programmes that directly affect citizens.
Adeleke’s re-election means that his administration will have another opportunity to consolidate existing programmes while addressing areas where residents still expect greater improvements.
For Obasanjo, the central responsibility of government remains service to the people.
His call for continued good governance also reflects the wider expectation that elected officials should use their mandates to improve living standards, strengthen infrastructure and provide effective public services.
Adeleke, who expressed surprise at the former President’s visit, thanked God and the people of Osun for the electoral outcome.
The governor also promised to remain committed to serving the people of the state.
“Baba, I thank you for this surprise visit. I promise never to disappoint God, the Osun people and all lovers of democracy who made our victory possible,” Adeleke said.
Adeleke wins second mandate
The governor’s re-election followed a competitive governorship contest involving the major political parties in the state.
INEC declared Adeleke the winner after he secured 511,067 votes, defeating the All Progressives Congress candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, who polled 444,815 votes, according to results reported by Punch.
The result gives Adeleke another mandate to pursue his development agenda across Osun.
His victory has also generated reactions from political leaders beyond the state. Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, for instance, congratulated Adeleke and described the outcome as a victory for democracy and the people of Osun.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu also congratulated Adeleke and urged him to promote unity across the state while working toward its development and socio-economic progress.
Governance now takes centre stage
With the election over, attention is expected to shift from political campaigns to governance.
For Adeleke, the renewed mandate comes with expectations from citizens who will be looking for tangible improvements in areas such as roads, healthcare, education, employment, agriculture, infrastructure and the state’s economy.
The Osun State Government has previously highlighted infrastructure development as a major component of its administration. In 2024, Adeleke said his government was focusing on both soft and hard infrastructure because of what it described as a significant infrastructure deficit inherited when the administration took office in 2022.
The governor’s second term therefore presents an opportunity to build on those programmes and ensure that government projects translate into measurable benefits for residents.
Beyond physical projects, effective governance also requires transparency, accountability, efficient use of public resources and policies that create opportunities for young people and businesses.
A renewed responsibility
Obasanjo’s message is significant because electoral victory is only one stage of democratic leadership. The more important test, particularly after re-election, is whether the administration can deliver on its promises and improve the quality of life of ordinary citizens.
For Osun residents, the expectation will be that the renewed mandate produces stronger results and broader development across the state.
The governor will also be expected to govern beyond party lines and ensure that public resources and government opportunities are accessible to citizens regardless of their political affiliations.
As Adeleke begins preparations for another term, Obasanjo’s advice provides a straightforward message: the electoral victory should not become the destination, but rather the beginning of another phase of public service.
The challenge before the governor is now to convert political goodwill into sustained development, maintain public confidence and ensure that the benefits of government reach communities across Osun.
With the election concluded, the people of Osun will ultimately judge the administration not only by campaign promises but by the roads built, institutions strengthened, jobs created, services delivered and lives improved.
For Adeleke, the task is clear — sustain good governance, meet the needs of the people and justify the confidence placed in him through the ballot box.
Sources
- Punch Newspaper
- Channels Television
- Vanguard Newspaper
- TVC News
- ThisDay
- Osun State Government
