Jubilation Erupts Across Osun as Adeleke’s Victory Sparks Carnival-Like Celebrations from Osogbo to Ede

Osun State erupted in wild jubilation today as Governor Ademola Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke was declared winner of the governorship election, with celebrations spreading from Osogbo to Ede and beyond in a carnival-like atmosphere.

From the streets of the state capital to the governor’s hometown, supporters poured out in their numbers, turning major roads, roundabouts and motor parks into festive arenas of dance, music and unrestrained joy.

In Osogbo, the scene was one of spectacular celebration as bikers, cars and buses filled the streets with occupants in high spirits, accompanied by loud music, shouts, trumpets, and the ever-popular MP3 loud players. Some groups had DJs while others used portable sound systems, creating a vibrant tapestry of sounds across the city.

A major celebration point was around the INEC collation centre, where supporters who had kept vigil from as early as 5am broke into celebration immediately after the final results were announced. The crowd intermittently erupted into cheers and chants of “Adeleke” and “Imole! Imole!” as they waved Accord Party flags.

Ede, the governor’s hometown, was like a carnival, with large crowds gathering around his residence and streets across Ede North and Ede South local government areas witnessing people dancing and jubilating.

Motorcycles and vehicles were seen moving through parts of the town as residents sang songs of joy and happiness.

The celebrations in Ede echoed the scenes that followed Adeleke’s victory in the 2022 election, when supporters similarly filled the streets of the city.

Other areas that witnessed massive celebrations included Ile-Ife, Owode, Sekona, and Akoda, with groups of supporters celebrating the governor’s return for another term in office.

In Ile-Ife, residents and party supporters took to the streets to express their excitement, while in Osogbo, celebrations were particularly lively at Okefia, Olaiya Junction and other parts of the city.

Many expressed extreme joy that despite the intimidation experienced during the campaign and election proper, Governor Adeleke emerged victorious.

Supporters spoke glowingly of the work the Governor had done, while others pointed out that the Governor maintained restraint and discipline, which contributed to the positive outcome of the election.

The Special Assistant to the Governor on Internal Security Matters, Hon. Taofeek Alapadupe, described the atmosphere surrounding the election as overwhelming, saying the large turnout and support recorded across the state reflected the people’s strong appreciation for Governor Adeleke.

In his area, youths came out slaughtering a cow to celebrate the victory. According to him, the election generated significant excitement among residents, with many people turning out to participate in the electoral process.

He noted that the level of mobilisation and participation demonstrated the strong connection between the people and the Governor, adding that the enthusiasm witnessed during the election was evident in several communities across the state.

The Special Assistant also said Governor Adeleke had consistently shown appreciation to the people for their support and had made efforts to test his capacity to deliver on his promises.

He explained that the Governor’s programmes and engagements with the people had produced positive results, contributing to the large number of residents who came out to express their support.

He added that the atmosphere during the election was so overwhelming that it left many people impressed, describing the turnout and general mood as a clear indication of the level of enthusiasm surrounding the exercise.

Some residents described the outcome as a reflection of the choice of the electorate, urging the governor to use his second term to consolidate his achievements and address issues affecting the people of the state.

A business owner at Irewumi community in Ede, Thomas Babatunde, said the victory recorded by the governor was a result of his administration’s commitment to excellence.

Another resident, Funmi Alabi from Odomburo Oloba community in Owode-Ede, commended INEC for the victory, adding that the governor had done credibly well in the last four years and deserved another tenure.

As celebrations continue across the state, residents have called for peace and unity, urging the governor and other political actors to put the election behind them and work together for the development of Osun State.