Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
President Bola Tinubu has delivered a clear and direct message to Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, urging him to refrain from stigmatising or victimising his political opponents following his re-election victory in the August 15, 2026 governorship poll. Tinubu gave the advice on Thursday, August 20, 2026, when Adeleke visited him at the Presidential Villa in Abuja to present his certificate of return and thank the President for what he described as ensuring a free and fair electoral process. The President, in a statement that has since reverberated across political circles, told the governor, "Don't stigmatise any of your opponents. You did not conquer anybody. You won the election. That is the essence of democracy".
The meeting, which was held behind closed doors at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, marked the first time Tinubu and Adeleke had met since the governor secured a second term in office. Adeleke arrived at the forecourt of the Villa at approximately 5:25 pm on Thursday, dressed in a navy blue traditional attire and brandishing a walking stick, alongside the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. He was accompanied by several top officials from Osun State, including the Director-General of the Adeleke Campaign Council, Senator Lere Oyewumi, and the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Akinleye Kazeem. The visit came just days after Tinubu personally called Adeleke to congratulate him on his victory, describing the outcome as "a fitting assurance that democracy will continue to flourish in our country".
During the meeting, Tinubu emphasised that Adeleke's victory should not be interpreted as a conquest over his opponents but rather as a mandate entrusted to him by the people of Osun State. The President advised the governor to reach out beyond his political base and avoid any form of victimisation, stressing that the conduct of the governor after the election would be more important than the manner in which he celebrated his victory. "All for the reconciliation, expand your coast. That is the only way you can give thanks to our people. Not the way you sang it or celebrated it. It's the way you act it," Tinubu said. He further reminded Adeleke that political power is ultimately determined by the will of God and the people, stating, "Where you are today, God put you there. Not the smartness of any of these people. It's just their support, not their smartness. It is the wish of God that prevailed and the wish of the people for you".
The President also cautioned Adeleke against making any individual a victim of his campaign, stressing that the governor's responsibility extended beyond his immediate political interests to future generations. "Don't make a single individual a victim of your campaign. Don't. Not for you alone. Not for the sake of us all alone. For the generations to come," Tinubu said. He added that anyone who fails to celebrate a free and fair election does not deserve the joy and laughter that democracy brings, saying, "Anybody, any democrat, anybody in the political environment who cannot celebrate the joy of a free and fair election does not deserve the laughter and the happiness of democracy".
Tinubu acknowledged Adeleke's political mobilisation and popularity, which he noted contributed significantly to his victory. "All you are doing now is progressive instinct. And you did a very good mobilisation with your team. Very good job. You saw fear. You screamed. Promote democracy. Promote stability. Promote rule of law," the President said. He described Adeleke as being in a "very unique position to make history" by promoting unity, peace and stability in Osun State. The President urged the governor to focus on governance and improving the welfare of Osun residents, listing infrastructure development, road construction, housing, rehabilitation of schools, healthcare delivery, and the training of teachers and health workers as key priorities.
In response, Governor Adeleke expressed gratitude to President Tinubu, whom he described as the "father of the nation," for ensuring a level playing field during the election. Speaking to State House correspondents after the meeting, Adeleke said, "I am here to thank Mr. President, the father of the nation, because he fought for this democracy. That is why he allowed a free and fair election, and that is the result. That is why I'm here, to say thank you and to ensure that democracy lives in Nigeria". The high point of the event was Adeleke symbolically presenting his Certificate of Return to Tinubu. Adeleke, who contested under the platform of the Accord Party, secured his second four-year mandate after polling 511,067 votes to defeat his closest challenger, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress, who received 444,815 votes.
Tinubu also used the occasion to address broader political and economic issues, criticising calls by opposition figures to restore fuel subsidy. Referring to a proposal by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, to return to petrol subsidy, Tinubu described the position as evidence of what he called a lack of understanding of governance and economic realities. "I saw one of my opponents now say he will go back to subsidy. I read it. That is a demonstration of serious ignorance on governance and economy," Tinubu said. He recalled the financial difficulties confronting many states before his administration's reforms, noting that 27 states were previously unable to pay salaries, let alone meet pension obligations.
The meeting between Tinubu and Adeleke has attracted significant political interest, coming barely days after the Osun governorship election and against the backdrop of Adeleke's earlier endorsement of Tinubu for a second term in the 2027 presidential election. Political analysts have interpreted Tinubu's warning against stigmatisation as a strategic move to prevent post-election tensions and ensure stability in Osun State, which has historically been a battleground for political rivalry. The President's emphasis on reconciliation and unity reflects a broader concern within the ruling party about the potential for internal divisions to undermine governance and electoral prospects. As Adeleke prepares to begin his second term in office, the message from the President is clear: victory in an election is not a licence for persecution but a call to serve all citizens, regardless of their political affiliation.
The President's advice to Adeleke also resonates with the principles of democratic governance, emphasising that political opponents are not enemies but fellow participants in the democratic process. Tinubu's reference to his own political journey, where he acknowledged that God placed him in his position, served as a reminder that political power is transient and should be exercised with humility and a sense of purpose. As the 2027 general elections draw closer, the meeting between Tinubu and Adeleke underscores the importance of political stability and the need for leaders to prioritise national interest over partisan advantage. For the people of Osun State, the President's call for reconciliation offers hope that the governor will govern with magnanimity and focus on delivering the dividends of democracy to all residents, irrespective of how they voted.
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