Atiku Abubakar Congratulates Adeleke On Osun Re-Election, Calls It “The Choice Of The People”
As celebrations continue to spill through the streets of Osun State, congratulatory messages are pouring in from across Nigeria’s political landscape and one of the most notable has come from former Vice President and ADC presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
What Atiku Actually Said
Taking to X shortly after INEC’s official declaration on Sunday morning, Atiku wrote directly to Governor Adeleke: “I congratulate Governor Ademola Adeleke, @AAdeleke_01, on his re-election as Governor of Osun State. His victory demonstrates the choice of the people of Osun as expressed at the ballot box.” He went further, commending Osun voters for their passion and peaceful participation in the process, and wishing Adeleke continued success as he begins his second term.
Notably, Atiku’s message came despite him being the presidential flagbearer of a different party the African Democratic Congress a cross-party gesture that’s being read by many as a genuine nod to democratic sportsmanship rather than partisan positioning.
He Wasn’t the Only Opposition Figure to Reach Out
Atiku’s congratulatory message landed alongside a similar one from former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, who also took to X separately to celebrate Adeleke’s win and highlight what he described as the significance of the result for Nigeria’s democracy more broadly. Seeing two of Nigeria’s most prominent opposition figures both publicly acknowledge Adeleke’s victory on the same morning added extra weight to how the win is being received nationally, beyond just Osun State itself.
The Numbers Behind the Win
For context, INEC’s Returning Officer, Professor Joshua Olalekan Ogunwole, declared Adeleke the winner at around 7:24 a.m. on Sunday, August 16, after Adeleke secured 511,067 votes against APC’s Bola Oyebamiji, who polled 444,815 votes. The African Democratic Congress’s Najeem Salaam finished third with 17,180 votes. Adeleke swept 19 of the state’s 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji won in 11, including Irewole, Isokan, Olorunda and several others.
Adeleke’s Own Reaction
Speaking shortly after his win was confirmed, an emotional Adeleke thanked God and the people of Osun directly, calling the result a victory for democracy in Nigeria and for residents who, in his words, stood by him and acknowledged the infrastructure, education, and agricultural improvements delivered under his first term.
Wahala Network Take
Whatever side of Nigeria’s political divide you sit on, there’s something notable about opposition heavyweights like Atiku and Peter Obi choosing to publicly celebrate a rival party’s governorship win rather than stay silent. In an election season that’s been anything but quiet from Davido’s public clashes online to allegations of rigging attempts these congratulatory messages offer a rare moment of cross-party unity, even if just for a morning.
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