By David Akinadewo-Adekahunsi

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for congratulating him on his victory in the August 15 governorship election.

Adeleke spoke shortly after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared him winner of the keenly contested election on Sunday.

The governor described his re-election as a victory for democracy and the people of Osun State, while commending President Tinubu for what he described as his role in ensuring that democracy continues to thrive in the country.

Adeleke also confirmed that the President had personally called him to congratulate him on his victory.

“I want to seize this opportunity to thank Mr President. Mr President has called me and he has congratulated me. Thank you, Mr President, for making sure democracy lives on because you fought for it,” Adeleke said.

The governor’s remarks came after an Accord Party chieftain, Pelumi Olajengbesi, disclosed that Tinubu had contacted Adeleke even before the final result was formally announced by INEC.

Olajengbesi, speaking to journalists after the declaration, said the President called Adeleke on Saturday night to congratulate him, describing the gesture as an indication of good leadership.

“Let me tell you this quickly: even before the result was declared yesterday night, Mr President called Mr Governor and congratulated him, and that is good leadership,” Olajengbesi said.

INEC declared Adeleke the winner after he polled 511,067 votes, defeating his closest challenger, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, who scored 444,815 votes.

The margin of victory was 66,252 votes.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Najeem Salaam, came third with 17,180 votes.

Adeleke’s victory followed a fiercely contested election in which the incumbent secured victories in 19 of the state’s 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji won in the remaining 11.