Culture
Ooni of Ife Congratulates Adeleke on Re-election, Seeks Unity in Osun
By Joseph Sunday
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has congratulated Governor Ademola Adeleke on his victory in the August 15, 2026 governorship election in Osun State.
In a congratulatory message issued on Monday from the Ooni’s Palace, the monarch described Adeleke’s re-election as a fresh mandate to advance the development of the state.
The statement was issued by the Senior Media Officer to the Ooni’s Palace, Sodiq Lawal, on behalf of the Director of Media and Public Affairs, Otunba Moses Olafare.
The Ooni, who is the Permanent Chairman of the Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council and Co-Chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria, said the conclusion of the election should usher in a new era of unity, reconciliation and purposeful governance.
He noted that while elections are characterized by competition and divergent interests, stakeholders must now set aside political differences in the collective interest of the people.
“Your victory comes with a renewed responsibility to serve the entire people of Osun State, irrespective of political affiliation, ethnic background, religious belief or geographical location. The election is over, but the work of building a stronger, more prosperous and peaceful Osun has only just begun,” the Ooni said.
The frontline traditional ruler commended Osun residents for discharging their civic duties and called on all political actors, candidates and supporters to embrace peace. He urged Governor Adeleke to extend an olive branch to his opponents and heal divisions created during the campaigns.
According to him, the people of the state should expect governance that transcends partisanship, adding that the second term offers an opportunity to consolidate achievements and deliver lasting, people-oriented projects.
He advised the administration to prioritize youth empowerment, job creation, education, infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture, tourism and the creative economy, which he described as critical to sustainable development.
The Ooni lauded the state government’s infrastructure drive, citing the recently completed Lagere Flyover in Ile-Ife and the Mayfair-Enuwa road dualisation project, while advocating for the extension of similar projects to other parts of the state.
“Osun is richly endowed with human and cultural resources. Our state must now move from political competition to economic competition, from electioneering to development, and from division to collaboration,” he stated.
He called for deeper collaboration between the state government and traditional institutions in peacebuilding, community mobilisation and grassroots development, assuring the governor of the continued support of traditional rulers in promoting peace, culture, youth development, tourism and economic growth.
The monarch also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, security agencies, election observers, the media and other stakeholders for their roles in the peaceful conduct of the election.
He urged Adeleke to see his re-election as a call to greater service and to make his second term a legacy-building tenure for present and future generations, while praying for wisdom and divine guidance for the governor.
“May this renewed mandate bring greater peace, prosperity and development to Osun State. Once again, I congratulate His Excellency, Governor Ademola Adeleke. The election is behind us; the future of Osun is before us. Let us all unite and build it together,” the statement concluded.
