Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, yesterday attributed the conduct of a free and fair governorship election in the state to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to democracy.
He believes the President allowed the people’s will to prevail because he had himself fought for democratic rule in Nigeria.
Adeleke, who secured a second term in the August 15 governorship election after defeating the candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Oyebamiji, said Tinubu deserved commendation for allowing the electoral process to run its course without interference.
Adeleke, who contested on the Accord platform, was declared winner.
The governor spoke briefly with reporters after a closed-door meeting with the President at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
According to Adeleke, who picked up his Certificate of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Osogbo 24 hours earlier, said his visit was principally to thank Tinubu, whom he described as the “father of the nation”, for respecting the democratic process and allowing a free and fair election in Osun State.
“Yeah, that is why I’m 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 to ensure that democracy lives in Nigeria”, the governor said.
Adeleke arrived at the State House at about 5:20 p.m. and was driven through the forecourt directly to the President’s office, where he went into the closed-door meeting.
Adeleke’s commendation came on the same day Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, cited the Osun election as evidence of Tinubu’s democratic credentials.
Speaking during a visit to the headquarters of the City Boy Movement in Abuja, Akume said the President deliberately refrained from interfering with the election despite the participation of the ruling APC.
“The President never bothered to intervene in the electoral process that was recently concluded in Osun State.
“That is what democracy should be about. It is way better than what used to happen in the past,” the SGF said.
