Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, yesterday attributed the conduct of a free and fair governorship election in the state to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to democracy.
He believes the President allowed the people’s will to prevail because he had himself fought for democratic rule in Nigeria.
Adeleke, who secured a second term in the August 15 governorship election after defeating the candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Oyebamiji, said Tinubu deserved commendation for allowing the electoral process to run its course without interference.
Adeleke, who contested on the Accord platform, was declared winner.
The governor spoke briefly with reporters after a closed-door meeting with the President at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
According to Adeleke, who picked up his Certificate of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Osogbo 24 hours earlier, said his visit was principally to thank Tinubu, whom he described as the ‘father of the nation’, for respecting the democratic process and allowing a free and fair election in Osun State.
‘Yeah, that is why I’m here to thank Mr. President, the father of the nation, because he fought for this democracy.
‘That is why he allowed a free and fair election, and that is the result. That is why I’m here to say thank you to ensure that democracy lives in Nigeria’, the governor said.
Adeleke arrived at the State House at about 5:20 p.m. and was driven through the forecourt directly to the President’s office, where he went into the closed-door meeting.
Adeleke’s commendation came on the same day Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, cited the Osun election as evidence of Tinubu’s democratic credentials.
Speaking during a visit to the headquarters of the City Boy Movement in Abuja, Akume said the President deliberately refrained from interfering with the election despite the participation of the ruling APC.
‘The President never bothered to intervene in the electoral process that was recently concluded in Osun State.
‘That is what democracy should be about. It is way better than what used to happen in the past,’ the SGF said.
Turning to the outcome of last Saturday’s Osun governorship election, Tinubu congratulated Adeleke on his victory and charged him to see his re-election as an opportunity to unite the state rather than victimise political opponents.
Tinubu told the governor that the appropriate way to thank the people of Osun for renewing his mandate was through reconciliation, inclusive governance and responsible leadership rather than prolonged celebration of his electoral victory.
‘Call for the reconciliation, expand your coast. That is the only way you can give thanks to Osun people. Not the way you sang it or celebrate it. It’s the way you act it,’ the President said.
He urged Adeleke to recognise that political victories ultimately rested on the will of God and the choice of the electorate rather than the political sophistication of individuals surrounding a candidate.
‘Use me as an example and I got here, God put me here. Where you are today, God put you there. Not the smartness of any of these people.
‘It’s just their support, not their smartness. It’s the wish of God that prevailed and the wish of the people for you and you are in a very, very unique position to make history. Promote unity, peace, and stability,’ Tinubu said.
The President also reminded Adeleke of his progressive political roots, saying the governor’s political instincts and mobilisation during the election reflected that background.
‘You started as a progressive. All you are doing now is progressive instinct and you did a very good mobilization with your team. Very good job,’ he said.
Tinubu stressed that the aftermath of the election should be used to strengthen democracy, stability and the rule of law, warning the governor against stigmatising those who opposed him during the contest.
‘Promote democracy, promotes stability, promotes rule of law. Don’t stigmatize any of your opponents. Let’s look at the trajectory,’ he said.
The President said the verdict delivered by Osun voters had settled the political contest and should now give way to governance.
‘And the people of Osun States pronounce their judgment on you, that they love you, they want you to govern. So you’re going back to govern,’ he told Adeleke.
He consequently cautioned Adeleke against allowing individuals to become targets of political retaliation because of the roles they played during the election, stressing that the conduct of political leaders after elections could have consequences beyond their immediate tenure.