The National Chairman of the Accord Party, Maxwell Mgbudem, has described Governor Ademola Adeleke’s re-election in Osun State as a victory over fear and intimidation.
Mgbudem said the election demonstrated the determination of Osun voters to freely choose their governor and defend their votes despite what he described as difficult circumstances during the campaign and voting period.
He made the remarks at a news conference in Osogbo on Monday.
Accord Praises Osun Voters
According to Mgbudem, the election reflected the commitment of residents to democratic participation and peaceful political choice.
He alleged that the period leading to the election was marked by incidents including harassment, intimidation, property destruction, arrests, detention and killings.
Despite these challenges, he said voters remained committed to the democratic process.
The Accord chairman dedicated Adeleke’s victory to what he described as the peace-loving people of Osun State.
Praise for Election Stakeholders
Mgbudem commended Nigerians, civil society organisations, local and international election observers, the international community, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies.
He said their participation and efforts helped promote electoral integrity and transparency during the governorship election.
“We did it all together and once again made Nigeria proud,” he said.
Mgbudem added that the election should now be viewed as a victory for the people rather than as a contest with permanent winners and losers.
“The election is over. The people of Osun State have won. There is no victor, no vanquished,” he said.
Accord Calls for Political Cooperation
The Accord chairman also commended candidates from other political parties who stepped down in support of Adeleke.
He described the development as an indication of political cooperation and alliance that could contribute to strengthening Nigeria’s democracy.
Mgbudem urged other political parties, candidates and their supporters to put the election behind them and work with the governor for the development of Osun State.
He stressed that the interests of the state should take priority over individual and partisan considerations.
“Osun State belongs to all its citizens. The interest of the state is greater than individual and political interests,” he said.
Adeleke Wins Osun Governorship Election
The Independent National Electoral Commission declared Adeleke the winner of the governorship election in the early hours of Sunday.
According to the results announced by INEC Returning Officer, Prof. Joshua Ogunwole, Adeleke secured 511,067 votes.
His closest challenger, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), polled 444,815 votes.
Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) finished third with 17,180 votes.
Ogunwole, who is Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti, announced the results at the INEC collation centre.
INEC reported 985,079 valid votes, while 20,721 votes were rejected, bringing the total votes cast to 1,005,800.
Adeleke’s victory gives him another term as governor of Osun State, while attention now turns to the transition from electioneering to governance.
