Adeleke thanks Tinubu at Villa after Osun election victory

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke travelled to the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday to meet with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu following his re-election victory. The closed-door meeting marked Adeleke's first engagement with the President since his Accord Party victory in the off-cycle governorship election, where he secured 511,067 votes against the All Progressives Congress candidate Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, who polled 444,815 votes.

Adeleke arrived at the complex at approximately 5:25 p.m., accompanied by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. During the meeting, Adeleke presented his certificate of return to the President and used the occasion to commend Tinubu's role in ensuring the electoral process was conducted transparently.

Speaking to journalists at the Villa afterwards, the governor characterised Tinubu as instrumental to Nigeria's democratic development and credited the President's commitment to free and fair elections with contributing to the Osun outcome. Adeleke won in 19 of the state's 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji secured 11 councils.

President Tinubu, for his part, offered counsel to Adeleke on how to govern following the election result. The President urged the governor to exercise restraint in victory and avoid denigrating those who lost, emphasising instead the importance of unity across political divisions in Osun State.

Tinubu also stressed the need for genuine reconciliation and inclusive governance rather than triumphalism in the post-election period. The visit came days after Tinubu had personally contacted Adeleke by telephone to congratulate him on the election result.

The meeting signals an effort by the federal government to maintain cordial relations with state governors across party lines and to set a tone for political conduct following competitive electoral contests.