OSOGBO, OSUN STATE — The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday presented certificates of return to Governor Ademola Adeleke and his deputy, Prince Kola Adewusi, following their victory in the August 15, 2026 Osun State governorship election.

The certificate of return was presented to Adeleke at about 1:30pm by the Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Oluwatoyin Babalola, shortly after Adewusi received his own certificate at the commission’s headquarters in Osogbo.

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Speaking during the presentation, Babalola said the certificates were issued in accordance with the law governing INEC and represented the electoral mandate given to Adeleke and Adewusi by voters in the state.

The Osun REC commended stakeholders who contributed to the conduct of the election, particularly security agencies, non-governmental organisations, the media and traditional institutions.

She also praised voters for participating in the poll, putting the state’s voter turnout at 43.2 per cent.

Babalola congratulated Adeleke on his victory and urged him to demonstrate magnanimity in victory as he prepares to continue his administration.

Also speaking at the ceremony, INEC National Supervising Commissioner for Osun State, Professor Kunle Ajayi, described the presentation as an important moment for democracy and the people of Osun State.

Ajayi congratulated Adeleke and commended voters for turning out to participate in the election despite tensions and incidents of violence recorded during the period leading to the poll.

He said the conduct of the election demonstrated the resilience and determination of Osun voters, stressing that INEC was in the state to uphold democratic principles and conduct the election fairly rather than support any particular candidate.

The certificate presentation followed INEC’s declaration on Sunday of Adeleke as the winner of the keenly contested governorship election held on Saturday, August 15, 2026.

According to the final results announced by the electoral commission, Adeleke secured 511,067 votes, defeating his closest challenger, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who polled 444,815 votes.

Adeleke therefore won by a margin of 66,252 votes, according to the figures provided by INEC.

The commission also reported that Adeleke won in 19 local government areas, while Oyebamiji secured 11 local government areas. Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) finished third in the overall contest.

The presentation of the certificates formally confirms Adeleke and Adewusi as the winners of the election and clears the way for their continuation in office for another term, subject to any legal challenges that may arise.