Two weeks after Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Governor Ademola Adeleke the winner of Osun State’s August 15 governorship election, his closest rival, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has formally conceded and congratulated the governor on securing a second term.
Oyebamiji made the announcement in a statement issued on Saturday while addressing APC leaders, members and supporters in Osogbo on the party’s next steps following the loss. He framed his concession around the occasion of Osun State’s 35th anniversary, congratulating Adeleke on his victory as declared by INEC.
INEC’s tally showed Adeleke, running on the Accord Party platform after decamping from the Peoples Democratic Party, polling 511,067 votes against Oyebamiji’s 444,815 — a margin of just over 66,000 votes. Adeleke’s win extends his tenure after he first took the governorship in 2022, when he defeated the then-incumbent, Gboyega Oyetola, also of the APC.
Despite the overall margin, Oyebamiji performed strongly in several local government areas, reportedly winning 11 of the state’s 30 councils, including a large victory in Irewole.
Oyebamiji’s public acceptance of the result did not come immediately. In the days after the election, he issued a more guarded statement saying he respected INEC’s declaration and backed the APC’s decision to review the outcome, without directly congratulating Adeleke. Saturday’s statement marked his fuller and more direct concession, delivered roughly two weeks after Adeleke was presented his certificate of return in Osogbo by INEC’s South-West National Commissioner, Kunle Ajayi.
In his statement, Oyebamiji thanked APC members and supporters for what he called their “sacrifices, resilience, prayers and unwavering belief” during the campaign, and singled out President Bola Tinubu, former Osun governor and APC elder statesman Bisi Akande, and Minister of Marine and Blue Economy Adegboyega Oyetola for their guidance throughout the race.
He also addressed the violence that marred the election period, saying the losses of life could not be brushed aside even as the contest concluded. He mourned victims of the unrest, expressed solidarity with their families, and called on security agencies to investigate the incidents thoroughly and hold those responsible accountable, arguing that no political contest should cost a Nigerian their life. He additionally raised concerns about reports of intimidation and attacks on party members and supporters after the election, urging Adeleke to use his constitutional authority to protect lives and property across the state.
While accepting the result, Oyebamiji said his commitment to Osun’s development remained unchanged and that any legitimate grievances his campaign still held would be pursued through lawful and constitutional channels rather than further contest the outcome.
He used the moment to turn his party’s attention toward the 2027 general election, calling on APC members to unite, rebuild party structures and prepare for the next electoral cycle. He said the immediate priority for the party in Osun would be mobilizing support for President Tinubu’s re-election bid and the success of APC candidates statewide.
Adeleke had already extended a conciliatory message to Oyebamiji and other rivals following his re-election, urging them to set aside their disputes and work with his administration. The governor described the contest as one with “no victor, no vanquished” and had specifically appealed to Oyebamiji to congratulate him on the win.
