Osun State governor-elect, Ademola Adeleke, has dedicated his success at the just concluded gubernatorial election to the memory of his late brother and former governor of the state, Isiaka Adeleke.

In his acceptance speech on Sunday in Ede, Mr Adeleke formally accepted his election, saying he was overwhelmed by the love and support of the electorate.

He said: “I give praise and adoration to the Almighty.

“I praise the courage and determination of the good people of Osun state. I commend men and women of goodwill, the young and the old.

“I am overwhelmed by your love and support.

“Our state has turned a new page. We have launched a landmark path for progress and prosperity for our people.

“It is therefore with strong faith in God and trust in our people that I accept my election as the Governor of Osun state.

“I pledge my total commitment to the best interest of the state and the people.

“I dedicate this victory to my late brother, His Excellency,  Sen. Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke, and every indigene of Osun state, and to all my supporters and friends.”

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday declared Mr Adeleke as the winner of the Saturday’s governorship election in the state.

Announcing the results, INEC Returning Officer, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe said Mr Adeleke polled 403,371 votes to defeat his closest rival, Governor Gboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who scored  375,027 votes.

The PDP won in 17 local government areas while APC won 13.

The 13 LGAs won by APC are Ilesa East; Ayedaade, Boripe, Ifedayo, Ife Central, Boripe, Ola-Oluwa, Iwo, Isokan, Irewole, Atakumosa East and Ife East.

While the PDP won in Boluwaduro; Osogbo, Ila, Atakumosa West, Ifelodun, Ilesa West, Odo-Otin, Obokun, Orolu, Olorunda, Ife North, Irepodun, Oriade, Ede South, Ejigbo, Ede North and Egbedore LGAs.

In his reaction to Mr Adeleke’s victory, the Timi of Ede, Oba Munirudeen Lawal, said his feelings for Mr Adeleke’s victory could not be expressed in words.

Mr Lawal, while speaking with reporters in his palace in Ede, commended the people of the state for their support for the governor-elect.

“My feelings cannot be expressed because it happened so suddenly but we thank God for the victory.

“I am happy because our son is now the governor-elect and we thank God for that,” he said.

The traditional ruler, however, described Mr Adeleke’s victory as a victory for the whole state and not for Ede alone, adding that, “it is a victory for the whole people of Osun because he had a wide spread of votes across the state.

“It is not only votes from Ede alone that gave him the victory but the synergy between the people of the state that brought him to power.”

Meanwhile, hundreds of jubilating residents of Ede trooped to the streets in the town singing and dancing in celebration of Adeleke’s victory.

The jubilant crowd on motorcycles and open roof vehicles moved around the town singing in celebration.

Hundreds of people in jubilant mood also besieged Mr Adeleke’s residence and the palace of the community leader to celebrate the victory. 

NAN