Afenifere to Adeleke: ‘This Mandate Is a Covenant, Not Trophy’

The Pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has congratulated Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on his re-election, urging him to treat the renewed mandate as a responsibility to the entire state rather than a political reward.

In a statement issued by its National Organising Secretary, Abagun Kole Omololu, the group said the outcome of the governorship election reflected the decision of Osun voters and should be respected without equivocation.

Afenifere also commended the people of Osun State for what it described as their commitment to democracy and peaceful participation in the electoral process.

The organisation urged Adeleke to approach his second term with humility and a strong sense of responsibility, stressing that the mandate should be used to serve all residents irrespective of political affiliation.

“The mandate is not a political trophy, but a solemn covenant with the entire people of Osun State,” Omololu said.

He urged the governor to govern with fairness, inclusiveness and commitment to the public good, while placing the broader interests of the state above partisan considerations.

Afenifere particularly praised President Bola Tinubu for contacting Adeleke to congratulate him before the Independent National Electoral Commission formally declared the result.

The organisation noted that the gesture was significant because the candidate of Tinubu’s All Progressives Congress, Bola Oyebamiji, lost the election to Adeleke.

According to Afenifere, the President’s action demonstrated that political competition should not override the national interest or undermine democratic values.

The group described Tinubu’s response as an example of democratic maturity that should be emulated by political leaders across the country.

Afenifere also urged political actors to accept electoral outcomes peacefully rather than resorting to vendetta, institutional hostility or actions capable of deepening political divisions.

“Political fortunes are transient; democratic institutions and national cohesion must endure,” Omololu added.

The organisation further commended Osun voters for what it called their democratic vigilance and peaceful exercise of their franchise.

Adeleke, who contested the election on the platform of the Accord Party, secured 511,067 votes to defeat Oyebamiji of the APC, who polled 444,815 votes.

The governor won 19 of Osun State’s 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji won 11. The result secured Adeleke a second term in office.

Afenifere wished the governor wisdom, courage and sagacity as he begins his second term and urged him to justify the confidence placed in him by the electorate.