Adeleke Receives Certificate Of Return, Says “I’ve Forgiven Those Who Offended Me ”

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has received his Certificate of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) following his victory in last Saturday’s governorship election.

The certificate was presented to Adeleke and his deputy, Prince Kola Adewusi, at the INEC headquarters in Osogbo on Wednesday.

INEC National Commissioner for South West I, Professor Kunle Ajayi, presented the documents.

Speaking after receiving the certificate, Adeleke described his victory as a result of God’s intervention, saying he had forgiven those who worked against him during the election.

The governor said the election victory marked a new chapter for Osun State. He declared that the state had moved away from what he described as a period of darkness and would continue on the path of progress.

He said, “Today is the day the Lord has made. I have forgiven everyone that offended me.”

Adeleke also appealed to his former opponents to put their differences aside and work with his administration for the development of the state.

The governor stated: “What else do I want? The good Lord has fought my battle, and I have overcome. Osun State has overcome. I have brought light to Osun State, and I drove darkness out of Osun State.

“Osun State will never see darkness again; we will keep moving forward, and nobody will turn us around again. I want to seize this opportunity to call all my fellow contestants to come over; let us join hands and let’s move Osun State forward. This state is bigger than anybody, “he remarked.

The governor said he had forgiven those who offended him and called for the past disagreements to be put behind them.

He said, “Osun State will never see darkness again; we will keep moving forward, and nobody will turn us around again.

“I want to seize this opportunity to call all my fellow contestants to come over, let us join hands, and let’s move Osun State forward. This state is bigger than anybody.”

“Whatever has happened in the past, let bygone be bygone because I have a fear of God. All those that offended me, I have forgiven them.”

Ademola Adeleke praised INEC and the security agencies for their roles during the election.

He said: “I wish the Police could do more.”

“Let me seize this opportunity to commend INEC for doing a great job.

“I want to also seize this opportunity to thank the CP Election, the Police, DSS, NSCDC Police and all security agencies. I wish the Police could do more.”

The governor also remembered families who lost loved ones to political violence before the election.

He promised that the Adeleke family would support those families, stressing that the assistance would come from the family and not the state government.

He averred: “For the families of those who lost their members, I want to promise that the Adeleke family will take care of those they left behind not as a government but as Adeleke’s family.

Their children will be given scholarships to Adeleke High School and Adeleke University just to compensate them for their loss.”

Adeleke also thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for allowing the democratic process to continue and described the Osun governorship election as a credible exercise.

He wished the President well ahead of the 2027 general election.

Earlier, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner for Osun, Oluwatoyin Babalola, said the presentation of the certificates was carried out in line with the Electoral Act 2026, as amended.

She said the ceremony formally recognised Adeleke and Adewusi as the winners of the governorship election.

The presentation took place in the presence of INEC officials, political stakeholders, security personnel and other dignitaries.

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