By David Akinadewo-Adekahunsi
Residents of Osun State and supporters of the Accord Party on Sunday took to the streets of Osogbo, the state capital, and other major cities to celebrate Governor Ademola Adeleke’s victory in the August 15 governorship election.
Jubilation broke out in the early hours of Sunday following the declaration of Adeleke as winner of the keenly contested election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Thousands of residents and supporters were seen on major roads in Osogbo, Ede, Ilesa and other parts of the state, singing, dancing and waving party flags in celebration of the governor’s re-election.
The celebrations, which continued for hours, created a carnival-like atmosphere in parts of the state capital, with supporters displaying posters and photographs of Adeleke while chanting solidarity songs.
Some of the jubilant residents also used songs to mock the All Progressives Congress (APC), which had mounted a strong challenge against Adeleke through its candidate, Bola Oyebamiji.
One of the songs repeatedly heard during the celebration was: “Owó w’ógbò o, owó w’ógbò, N50,000 owó w’ógbò,” loosely translated as “the money has gone to waste; the N50,000 has gone to waste.”
The song was apparently a reference to allegations of vote-buying during the election, with the celebrants suggesting that money allegedly spent to induce voters had not translated into victory for the opposition party.
The allegations of vote-buying had featured prominently in reports from the election, although individual claims and the identities of those allegedly involved remain matters for the appropriate authorities to investigate.
The celebration followed INEC’s declaration of Adeleke as winner after he polled 511,067 votes, defeating the APC candidate, Oyebamiji, who scored 444,815 votes.
The margin between the two leading candidates was 66,252 votes.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Najeem Salaam, finished third with 17,180 votes.
Adeleke secured victories in 19 of the state’s 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji won in 11 councils.
The governor’s victory triggered celebrations particularly in areas where Accord secured strong support, with residents expressing satisfaction with the outcome and describing it as a triumph of the people’s will.
In Osogbo, groups of young people and other residents were seen moving through some major streets, singing and dancing, while motorists and commercial transport operators navigated the celebratory crowd.
The development came shortly after Adeleke, in his victory remarks, thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for calling to congratulate him, saying the President’s gesture demonstrated commitment to the survival of democracy.
The President had earlier congratulated Adeleke and urged him to use his renewed mandate to unite the people of Osun State irrespective of their political affiliations.
