By Michael Ofulue, Osogbo

|

Reactions have continued to trail the declaration of Senator Ademola Adeleke who was yesterday declared as the governor-elect of Osun-State.

Adeleke had polled 403,371 to defeat Oyetola and the APC with 375,027 votes, while Lasun Yusuf of Labour Party, LP polled 2,729.

Adeleke won in 17 local government areas against Oyetola’s 13 .

The INEC’s returning officer for the election, Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe pronounced Adeleke winner having scored lawful available votes in the election.

His major challenger and Osun State Governor and candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Adegboyega Oyetola said the leadership of the party are still studying the results of the poll.

President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated Adeleke on his victory at the poll. He  expressed his readiness to continue to strengthen the nation’s electoral system for the benefit of the people.

A statement issued by Mr Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, the President expressed conviction that the people of Osun have expressed their will through the ballot, and the will of the people must always matter and be respected in a democracy.

Buhari noted that the successful conduct of the election was a further testimony to the maturity and commitment of all stakeholders, the electoral body, security agencies, political parties, the media, civil society and the electorate to further strengthen the integrity of the electoral process in the country.

Reacting, the Osun State Governor and APC candidate in the election, Oyetola said the leadership of the party are still studying the results of the poll.

A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ismail Omipidan, Oyetola said he had taken cognisance of the results of the election as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and noted that his party would react after appraising the outcome of the poll.

The governor hinted that the party would be responding appropriately after studying the results and consulting with critical stakeholders of the party.

He called on his supporters to remain calm, and the people of the State to go about their businesses without let or hindrance.

The governor charged security operatives to ensure maintenance of law and order and forstall acts that could lead to breakdown of law

On his part, the Governor-elect, Adeleke, said he has accepted his election as Osun state governor.

Adeleke said he was overwhelmed by the love and support of the electorate.

He pledged his  commitment to the best interest of the people and the state, saying that “I give praise and adoration to Almighty.

“I praise the courage and determination of the good people of Osun state. I commend men and women of goodwill, the young and the old”

Also, the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP), Ondo State Chapter, congratulated Adeleke on his well deserved victory at the poll.