Politics:
Osun: You Didn’t Conquer Anybody, Tinubu Urges Adeleke Not To Shame His Opponents
President Bola Tinubu, however, said that Adeleke exhibited a "progressive instinct" during his campaign for the August 15, 2026 Osun State governorship election.
Tinubu and Adeleke
A photo combo of President Bola Tinubu (L) and Governor Ademola Adeleke (R)
President Bola Tinubu has urged Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State not to shame his opponents in the recently concluded governorship election in the state.
Tinubu, who stated this when he received the governor at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday, said that Adeleke did not conquer anybody but won an election.
“Don’t stigmatise any of your opponents,” he told the governor. “And the people of Osun State pronounced their judgment on you that they love you, they want you to govern. So you’re going back to govern.
According to him, anyone who does not celebrate a free and fair election does not deserve the laughter and the happiness of democracy.
“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.
“Don’t make a single individual a victim of your campaign. Don’t. Not for you alone; not for the sake of Osun alone, for the generations to come. It’s more important for you to build a network of unity.
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“As I said, you did not conquer anybody. You won an election. That is the essence of democracy. I’m so happy that we have this talk,” Tinubu added.
Tinubu told the governor that the only way for him to give thanks to the Osun people is to expand his coast, “not the way you sang it or celebrate it,” but “the way you act it”.
“Use me as an example. And I got here. God put me here. 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’s the wish of God that prevailed and the wish of the people for you,” the President told Adeleke.
According to Tinubu, the governor is in a “very unique position to make history”.
“Promote unity, peace and stability,” he added.
‘Progressive Instinct’
The President further said that Adeleke exhibited a progressive instinct during his campaign.
“All you’re doing now is progressive instinct. And you did a very good mobilisation with your team — very good job,” he said. “You saw fear, you screamed. Promote democracy, promote stability, promote rule of law.
