RismadarVoice Reporters, August 18, 2026
The former Osun State Governor and African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain, Rauf Aregbesola, has congratulated Governor Ademola Adeleke on his re-election while praising ADC members and the party’s governorship candidate, Najeem Folasayo Salaam, for their courage, sacrifice and commitment during the August 15 governorship election.
The National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Aregbesola, commended the people of Osun State for participating in the electoral process and urged political actors and supporters to accept the outcome peacefully and focus on the state’s future.
His comments came after the Independent National Electoral Commission declared Adeleke, the Accord Party candidate, winner of the election.
RismadarVoice reported that Adeleke polled 511,067 votes, defeating his closest challenger, APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji, by 66,252 votes.
The former governor, who backed the ADC candidate during the contest, thanked party members for remaining committed despite what he described as an intensely competitive political environment, saying, “To every ADC member, supporter, volunteer, campaigner, agent and well-wisher who contributed to our campaign, I ask you to hold your heads high. You gave your best for our candidate and for the Osun we believe is possible.”
He particularly praised Salaam for maintaining his support base throughout the campaign and for accepting the election result with maturity, adding “Dr Salaam has conducted himself with dignity throughout this contest,” further adding that the candidate had demonstrated that politics should focus on ideas, competence, character and service to the people.
The ADC Chieftain, Aregbesola, also called on ADC supporters not to allow the election defeat to end their political engagement, urging them to preserve the relationships developed during the campaign, continue speaking for the people and hold the government accountable while presenting constructive alternatives.
