Centre Says Peaceful Celebrations Across Osun Demonstrate Public Acceptance of Adeleke’s Victory
EDITORIAL DESK, AUGUST 2026
OSOGBO, August 16, 2026 — The African Writers Centre (AWC) has commended President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for what it described as a substantially free, fair and credible governorship election in Osun State.
The Centre said the peaceful atmosphere following the announcement of the results, coupled with widespread celebrations across the state, provides a strong indication that the outcome was broadly accepted by the people.
According to the results announced from the 30 local government areas, Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party won 19 LGAs, while the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, won 11.
AWC said the result represents the choice expressed by the electorate and commended the political actors and institutions that contributed to the peaceful conduct of the election.
Tinubu Deserves Commendation — AWC
The Centre particularly commended President Tinubu, describing his role as significant in creating an environment conducive to a credible electoral process.
AWC noted that the President’s directives to security agencies to protect voters and electoral personnel, as well as his call for INEC to conduct a credible election, were important signals that the electoral process should be allowed to reflect the will of the electorate.
“Mr. President has shown that he is a Democrat. Nigerians expect to see this same democratic commitment sustained into the 2027 general elections.”
The Centre said the credibility of an election is ultimately strengthened when the electoral commission is allowed to operate without political interference and voters are given the freedom to make their choices.
“The People Spoke and the Ballot Counted”
AWC observed that the peaceful reaction to the Osun result is particularly noteworthy.
Rather than widespread protests or violence following the declaration, residents have been seen celebrating the outcome in different parts of the state.
The Centre believes this peaceful response is an important indicator that the people largely recognised the result as reflecting their votes.
“The people spoke, the ballot counted, and the result reflected the popular position of the people of Osun. That is why the people are celebrating and why the state remains peaceful.”
AWC, however, stressed that the independence of INEC remains a critical issue for Nigeria’s democratic development.
The Centre noted that although INEC is constitutionally an independent electoral body, successive electoral experiences have raised questions about the extent to which its operational independence can withstand political pressure.
It therefore urged President Tinubu to make the 2026 Osun experience a permanent democratic standard rather than an exception, particularly as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections.
A Test for 2027
According to AWC, the Osun election should serve as a reference point for the forthcoming national elections.
The Centre called for:
- greater operational independence for INEC;
- transparent electronic transmission and collation of results;
- protection of voters and electoral officials;
- neutrality of security agencies;
- respect for the choice of voters; and
- peaceful acceptance of legitimate electoral outcomes.
AWC said Nigerians are increasingly politically conscious and will be watching closely to see whether the credibility demonstrated in Osun can be replicated nationwide.
The Centre concluded:
“Congratulations to Nigeria. Congratulations to Osun State. Congratulations to Governor Ademola Adeleke. And congratulations to every Nigerian who believes that democracy is ultimately about allowing the people to choose their leaders.”
The Osun experience, AWC said, has shown what can happen when voters are protected, the electoral process is allowed to work and the ballot is permitted to speak.
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