. As UK hails INEC, security agencies, raises concerns over vote-buying syndrome
. Accord Party urges IGP to release detained members as Adeleke withdraws suit against EFCC
. Osun Police warn against forceful takeover of LGs
Tunde Adeleke, Osogbo with Agency report
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has charged Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, to continue to deliver good governance to the people of the state.
A statement released by the spokesperson to the governor, Olawale Rasheed, obtained in Osogbo on Monday said Obasanjo made the disclosure during ‘a surprise congratulatory visit’ to Adeleke at his residence in Ede, on Sunday.
Rasheed said the former Nigerian leader, accompanied by Mr Oyewole Fasawe, was received by Adeleke with ‘dancing and a song of praise to God for the successful outcome of the election.’
The statement read, “The former president prayed for further successes of the governor and urged him to continue on the path of good governance and delivery of dividends of democracy.
“Continue to deliver good governance. Continue to meet the needs of your people.”
Responding, Adeleke, who expressed surprise at the ex-president’s visit, thanked God and the people and promised to remain a loyal servant of the Osun people.
“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,” the governor said.
“The Deputy Governor of the state, Prince Kola Adewusi, accompanied the governor to receive the veteran national leader,” the statement further read.
Adeleke was returned elected by the State Returning Officer of the Independent National Electoral Commission on Sunday, having won the Saturday governorship poll by a total of 511,067, to defeat Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress who polled 444, 815 votes.
Meanwhile, Governor Adeleke, has withdrawn the suit filed against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the freezing of the state government’s bank account before the just-concluded gubernatorial election.
Adeleke had earlier challenged the EFCC’s decision to secure an order freezing the state government’s account, describing the move as politically motivated and disruptive to the administration’s activities.
President Bola Tinubu subsequently directed the anti-graft agency to lift the restriction and discontinue the related legal action, following concerns over the timing of the freeze.
Hours after he was declared winner of the governorship election, Adeleke, during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, said he has instructed the state’s Attorney General to drop the suit against the EFCC.
Adeleke said Tinubu has intervened on the issue and he has decided to put the political disagreements and the EFCC case behind him.
He said, “I’m putting them behind. What else do I want? I have instructed my Attorney General to drop it. Mr President has done well. He called me. What more do I want?”
Speaking on allegations that some of his supporters and officials were being invited and questioned by the EFCC, Adeleke said he had directed his lawyers to provide the necessary assistance.
Adeleke also defended Tinubu, stressing that the President was unaware of some of the actions attributed to federal agencies.
He stated, “Well, we have been talking. I have been calling all my lawyers to go there. I’m sure the APC in Osun, according to them, they are telling us they are using federal might.
“Most of these things, the President doesn’t know. The President has a lot of foreign work and jobs to do.”
According to Adeleke, some of his aides were invited by the EFCC for questioning but were released after no wrongdoing was established.
He described the invitations as a distraction and alleged that former Osun State Governor, Gboyega Oyetola, was behind the development because of his relationship with Tinubu.
He added, “I told my people, go there. We haven’t got anything to hide. And when they go there, they ask them questions, and then they will say, ‘Go on.’ Can you imagine my spokesperson? You are inviting my spokesperson is my spokesperson a finance minister or accountant?
“All these things are Oyetola because he is the cousin to the President. He is dropping the President’s name. I know that the President didn’t know about the EFCC one. That is why he had to call me and stop it.”
Furthermore, the Accord Party has called on the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, to release its leaders, candidates, members and supporters allegedly arrested before and during the just concluded Osun State gubernatorial elections.
The National Chairman of the party, Chief Maxwell Mgbudem, made the demand in Osogbo, on Monday, while reacting to the victory of Governor Ademola Adeleke in the August 15 Osun State governorship election.
Daily Champion reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC declared Adeleke, of the Accord Party, the winner of the 2026 governorship election after securing 511,067 while his closest challenger, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress, recorded 444,815 votes.
Mgbudem described the election as a triumph of democratic participation, but said the continued detention of Accord members after the poll was unacceptable and amounted to a violation of their fundamental rights.
He urged the police authorities to end the detention of the party’s members, arguing that the election had been concluded and there was no justification for keeping them in custody.
He said, “Accord demands the immediate release of all its leaders, candidates, members and supporters arrested and detained in Abuja, Nasarawa and Osun States in flagrant violation of their fundamental rights as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended.
“It is in the interest of justice and equity to release them immediately. The election is over, there is no need for their detention. The Inspector General of Police is urged to act accordingly.”
He however commended candidates of various political parties who stepped down in support of Adeleke, describing the development as a demonstration of political alliance, cooperation and patriotism.
He urged all political parties, candidates, members and supporters to close ranks and work with the Accord-led government, stressing that the interest of Osun State should supersede individual and political interests.
He added that, “Accord commends all Nigerians, the civil society organisations, local and foreign election observers, the international community, the electoral umpire and security agencies who prioritised electoral integrity and transparency, and upheld democratic values, ethics, ethos and ideals during the Osun gubernatorial poll. We did it all together, and once again made Nigeria proud. The election is over. The people of Osun State have won. There is no victor, no vanquished.
“Accord commends the candidates of various political parties who stepped down for the party’s Governor Ademola Adeleke, sending a strong signal of political alliance, cooperation and partnership that will deepen the nation’s democracy. It’s patriotism redefined in the quest for sustainable democracy and development in Nigeria.”
In its reaction, the British High Commission in Nigeria has commended the people of Osun State for their peaceful participation in the election and congratulated Governor Ademola Adeleke on his re-election.
In a statement on Monday, the High Commission said it deployed accredited observers to the election after engaging with various stakeholders ahead of the poll.
It said its observations, which were consistent with findings from credible independent observer groups, showed several encouraging signs of a positive democratic process.
According to the statement, polling commenced as scheduled in many locations, security personnel maintained order, while officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) effectively implemented electoral procedures.
The High Commission also commended voters for the patience, resilience and participation they demonstrated throughout election day.
It, however, noted reports of isolated incidents that generated tension before and during the election, as well as the continued challenge of vote-buying across party lines.
It also raised concerns about access to polling units for persons with disabilities and elderly voters, as well as overcrowding arising from the speed and limited availability of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices for accreditation.
The High Commission urged relevant institutions to review the issues and draw lessons from the election, including recommendations by credible organisations such as the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room.
It said such measures would help strengthen public confidence, transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s electoral process.
The statement read in part: “Based on their observations, and consistent with the findings of credible independent observer groups with wider deployments across the state, we welcome several encouraging signs of a positive democratic process.
“This includes the opening of polls as scheduled in many locations, the commitment of security personnel to maintaining order, and the effective implementation of electoral procedures by INEC officials.
“Most of all, we were encouraged by the patience, resilience and participation demonstrated by voters throughout the day.
“We note reports of isolated incidents that generated tension before and during the electoral process and the significant remaining challenge of voter including vote-buying, across party lines.
“We also note continued issues with access for people with disabilities and for elderly people, as well as overcrowding due to the speed and limited provision of BVAS devices for accreditation.
“We encourage the relevant institutions to review these issues carefully and to draw lessons — including from the recommendations of credible organisations like the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room — that strengthen public confidence, transparency and accountability.”
Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, the High Commission noted that off-cycle elections benefit from additional personnel and resources that may be more difficult to replicate during nationwide elections.
It nevertheless expressed hope that lessons from the Osun election would inform further improvements aimed at strengthening the integrity, inclusiveness and credibility of future elections.
For a better society
_______________________________
Follow us across our platforms:
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/championnewsonline/
Facebook – https://web.facebook.com/championnewsonline
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/champion-newspapers-limited/
https://x.com/championnewsng/
You can also like and comment on our YouTube videos.
https://youtu.be/QIBfD1tT80w?si=R4Qf3so2LxYu3GC2
