Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has congratulated Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke on his re-election, urging him to use his renewed mandate to strengthen good governance and improve the welfare of residents.
Obasanjo delivered the message on Sunday night, August 16, 2026, during a surprise visit to Adeleke at the governor’s country home in Ede, Osun State, following the governor’s victory in the state’s governorship election. The former president also prayed for Adeleke’s continued success and encouraged him to remain focused on delivering democratic dividends.
The meeting came shortly after the election, putting governance and the expectations attached to Adeleke’s fresh mandate at the centre of the former president’s congratulatory message.
During the visit, Obasanjo called on Adeleke to maintain his focus on governance and the needs of the people of Osun State.
The former president’s message centred on two key expectations:
- Continued delivery of good governance.
- Greater attention to the needs and welfare of Osun residents.
Obasanjo, who served as Nigeria’s president from 1999 to 2007, also prayed for further success for the governor.
The visit was not publicly presented as a discussion on partisan politics. Instead, the emphasis was on the responsibility that comes with securing another term in office and the need for the administration to translate electoral support into tangible benefits for citizens.
For Adeleke, the encounter provided an opportunity to acknowledge the former president’s intervention and reaffirm his commitment to serving the people of Osun.
Adeleke expressed gratitude to Obasanjo for the unexpected visit and attributed his electoral success to God, the people of Osun and supporters of democracy.
The governor also pledged to remain committed to the people who entrusted him with another term.
His response signals that the administration is now moving from the campaign and election phase into a period where attention will increasingly shift towards fulfilling expectations attached to the renewed mandate.
Adeleke’s administration has previously highlighted areas including infrastructure, healthcare, education, workers’ welfare and economic development as key components of its governance agenda.
The governor had also campaigned on an updated five-point agenda covering youth, women and workers’ welfare; infrastructure; agro-industrial development; healthcare and education; and an improved business environment.
Obasanjo did not make the visit alone. He was accompanied by Otunba Oyewole Fasawe, an associate of the former president.
Adeleke was joined by his deputy, Kola Adewusi, as he received the former president.
The governor welcomed Obasanjo with dancing and a song of praise to God, reflecting his well-known public style of celebrating political milestones through music and dance.
The interaction also underscored the continued political relevance of Obasanjo, a former military head of state and civilian president, in Nigeria’s political discourse.
The congratulatory visit comes at a significant point for Osun State. With the election concluded, attention will now turn to how Adeleke uses his renewed mandate and whether his administration can convert campaign promises into measurable improvements across the state.
Adeleke has previously pointed to several areas of government performance, including:
- Rehabilitation and construction of infrastructure.
- Workers’ and pensioners’ welfare.
- Healthcare interventions.
- Education and school rehabilitation.
- Agricultural development.
- Digital economy initiatives.
- Improvements in the business environment.
The administration’s next phase will therefore be judged not only by political continuity but also by its ability to demonstrate results in areas that directly affect residents.
Obasanjo’s appeal for continued good governance reflects a broader expectation that electoral victory should translate into improved public service delivery.
For Adeleke, the renewed mandate offers political room to pursue longer-term programmes, but it also increases the pressure to deliver on promises made during the election campaign.
The governor’s commitment to remain a servant of the Osun people will now face its most important test: translating electoral confidence into visible development and sustained improvements in citizens’ welfare.
As the new political cycle begins, the focus in Osun is expected to move away from the election itself and towards governance, accountability and the delivery of democratic dividends.
