President Bola Tinubu has urged Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun to promote reconciliation, unity, peace and stability as he begins his second term in office.

Mr Tinubu gave the advice on Thursday when he received Mr Adeleke, who paid a thank-you visit to the president at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Mr Adeleke had repeatedly commended  Mr Tinubu for ensuring a level playing field during the August 15 governorship election in Osun.

The president urged Mr Adeleke to use his victory to unite the people and avoid victimising or stigmatising political opponents.

“All for reconciliation, expand your coast. That is the only way you can give thanks to our people. Not the way you sang it or celebrated it. It’s the way you act it.

“Use me as an example. I got here because God put me here. Where you are today, God put you there. It is not the smartness of any of these people.

“Their support helped, but it is the wish of God and the wish of the people that prevailed for you,” Mr Tinubu said.

Mr Tinubu described Mr Adeleke’s position as a unique opportunity to make history by promoting unity, peace, stability, democracy and the rule of law.

“You are in a very unique position to make history, promote unity, peace and stability. Use it. You did a very good mobilisation with your team. Very good job.

“Promote democracy. Promote stability. Promote the rule of law. Don’t stigmatise any of your opponents. You did not conquer anybody; you won the election. That is the essence of democracy,” he said.

The president urged Mr Adeleke to focus on governance and improving the welfare of Osun residents rather than allowing political differences to divide the state.

He urged the governor to build broad networks of unity and ensure that his administration served all residents, irrespective of political affiliation.

Mr Tinubu said a governor’s responsibilities included providing infrastructure, rehabilitating schools and hospitals, improving healthcare, training teachers and health workers, and protecting vulnerable citizens.

Mr Tinubu used the occasion to address calls by a political opponent to reverse ongoing reforms, noting that such a position demonstrated a lack of understanding of Nigeria’s economic realities.

Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), had said he would restore fuel subsidy if elected president in 2027.

“I saw one of my opponents now say he will go back to subsidy. I read it. That is a demonstration of serious ignorance on governance and the economy.

“Before I came here, 27 states were unable to pay salaries, not to talk of pensioners. Workers were owed salaries, while state governments depended on the Federal Government and were unable to do much,” he said.

Mr Adeleke told State House correspondents that the visit was to thank the president for ensuring a free and fair election in Osun, stressing that Tinubu’s commitment to democratic values contributed to the credibility of the poll.

“I am here to thank Mr. President, the father of the nation, because he fought for this democracy. That is why he allowed free and fair election, and that is the result.

“That is why I am here, to say thank you and to ensure that democracy lives in Nigeria,” Mr Adeleke said.

A high point of the event was Mr Adeleke symbolically presenting his Certificate of Return to Mr Tinubu.

Mr Adeleke of the Accord Party secured his second four-year mandate after polling 511,067 votes to defeat his closest challenger, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who received 444,815 votes.

The election was largely peaceful, with electoral observers commending the process for its credibility and transparency.

(NAN)