The Senate Leader and Chairman of the National Assembly South-West Caucus, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, has urged the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the just-concluded Osun State election, Bola Oyebamiji, to congratulate Governor Ademola Adeleke on his re-election and offer constructive policy ideas to strengthen governance in the state.
Bamidele, who congratulated Adeleke on his victory, said the outcome of Saturday’s election had once again demonstrated the supremacy of the electorate in a democratic system.
He, however, said Adeleke’s renewed mandate came with the responsibility to unite the people of Osun State across political and partisan divides and pursue policies that would promote peace, stability and development.
The Senate Leader stated this in a statement personally signed by him on Monday while reviewing the outcome of the governorship election.
Adeleke, the candidate of the Accord Party, polled 511,067 votes to defeat the APC candidate, Oyebamiji, who secured 444,815 votes. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Najeem Salam, finished third with 17,180 votes.
Bamidele said the reported 51.57 per cent voter turnout was encouraging, describing it as an indication of growing confidence in the electoral process and citizens’ willingness to participate in choosing their leaders.
He said the election had reinforced the principle that the ultimate power in a democracy rested with the people.
“The summary of the entire process, again, perfectly reminds us where the final power actually lies in democracy.
“As shown in the recent elections across the federation, the final decision lies with the people, the true and ultimate arbiter of every democracy.
“Now that the people of Osun State have spoken, all contestants must accept and respect the decision of the majority,” he said.
Bamidele urged Adeleke to use his renewed mandate to extend a hand of fellowship to political opponents and other stakeholders, arguing that governance should transcend the interests of the political platform on which a candidate was elected.
According to him, an inclusive administration would require Adeleke to engage other political parties and candidates in the interest of the state.
“To drive a truly inclusive governance, Governor Adeleke must look beyond the political platform that nominated him for the contest and extend his hands of fellowship to other candidates and political parties with a view to building a resilient state that functions in the interests of all people regardless of their leanings,” he said.
The Senate Leader also called on all other contestants to accept the outcome and support efforts aimed at moving Osun State forward.
He specifically appealed to Oyebamiji to personally reach out to Adeleke, congratulate him and share constructive ideas that could contribute to better governance.
“On this premise, I strongly encourage the candidate of our great party, Mr. Bola Oyebamiji, to contact Governor Adeleke; congratulate him on his re-election and constructively share with him innovative policy ideas that can help him serve the interests of our people much better,” Bamidele said.
He stressed that the election should not be interpreted solely in terms of political victory or defeat, noting that all political actors remained stakeholders in the future of Osun State.
“The outcome of this election does not make us a loser, but indeed a true stakeholder in the progress and posterity of Osun State,” he said.
Bamidele also congratulated the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the conduct of the election, saying the exercise provided important lessons for political parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He urged the APC to undertake a comprehensive review of its performance in Osun and strengthen its grassroots structures and engagement with voters and stakeholders across the South-West.
According to him, the party must deepen its engagement with artisans, traders, farmers, entrepreneurs, youths, women, labour unions, civil society organisations, community leaders, traditional rulers, business leaders, private-sector operators and the elderly.
“Our engagement approach, more than any time in our recent history, must be all-encompassing, and it must not leave any person or interest behind,” he said.
The Senate Leader said the Osun election should serve as an opportunity for the APC to improve its mobilisation strategy ahead of 2027, particularly in its efforts to consolidate support for President Bola Tinubu across the South-West.
He urged party members to strengthen grassroots mobilisation, improve communication with voters and effectively articulate what the APC considers the achievements of the Tinubu administration in economic reforms, security, democratic governance and national development.
Bamidele congratulated Adeleke once again on his re-election, stressing that the renewed mandate represented both a political victory and a fresh obligation to deliver tangible dividends of democracy to the people.
“To Governor Adeleke, your re-election reaffirms the supremacy of the people in democracy, and this comes with a huge responsibility that demands a collective approach.
“To the APC and its candidate, we have competed with courage, ideas and vigour, but the people decided otherwise,” he said.
He expressed optimism that the conclusion of the election would usher in a new phase of development in Osun State, while congratulating the people of the state for participating in the democratic process.