Jubilation erupted in Ile-Ife on Sunday following the declaration of Governor Ademola Adeleke as the winner of Saturday’s Osun State governorship election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) observed the jubilation, with residents expressing satisfaction over the peaceful conduct of the election.
Speaking with NAN, Osun Commissioner for Transportation, Olusesan Oyedele, thanked God for the peaceful conduct of the election, without killings or destruction of property across the state.
Oyedele described the election as free, fair, and credible, commending INEC officials for conducting the exercise without bias and ensuring a transparent electoral process across the state.
He also commended the electorate for their orderliness and urged them to remain law-abiding, saying peaceful participation was essential to sustaining democracy and development across the state.
Also, Busayo Arayela, an Accord leader, acknowledged God’s grace for allowing peace to prevail in Osun State before and during the election, expressing hope it continued.
Arayela said party members and leaders were enthusiastic about the peaceful manner the electorate conducted themselves throughout the electoral exercise, describing the development as encouraging for democracy.
She said the efforts of traditional rulers, particularly Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, in advocating for peace and urging residents to “give peace a chance” cannot be overemphasised.
The party leader appreciated God for preventing evil occurrences in Ife North, Ife East, Ife South, and Ife Central, as well as other parts of Osun State during the election.
Arayela appealed to residents and stakeholders to maintain peace across the state after declaration of the result, urging everyone to accept the outcome responsibly and peacefully thereafter.
She also admonished Adeleke to sustain his developmental programmes across Osun State, urging him not to disappoint residents but ensure delivery of democratic dividends to communities across state.