The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has presented a Certificate of Return to Senator Ademola Adeleke following his victory in the Osun State governorship election, formally confirming his return for a second term in office.
Adeleke received the certificate on Wednesday at the INEC headquarters in Osogbo alongside his deputy, Prince Kola Adewusi.
The Accord candidate was declared winner of the August 15 governorship election on Sunday after securing the highest number of votes in the closely contested poll.
According to Joshua Ogunwole, the INEC Returning Officer for the election, Adeleke polled 511,067 votes to defeat his closest challenger, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who recorded 444,815 votes.
Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) finished a distant third with 17,180 votes.
Adeleke won 19 of Osun State’s 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji secured victories in the remaining 11 LGAs.
The presentation of the Certificate of Return marks the formal completion of the electoral process and clears the way for Adeleke and his deputy to continue in office for another four-year term.
In his acceptance speech, Adeleke thanked INEC, security agencies and the people of Osun State for their roles in the conduct of what he described as a peaceful and credible election.
He also commended residents for exercising their civic responsibility and maintaining peace throughout the electoral process.