…as re-election campaign kicks off
The campaign council of Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, on Friday visited the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, to seek royal blessings ahead of the governor’s re-election campaign.
The visit came shortly after the official flag-off of Adeleke’s campaign for the August 15, 2026 governorship election.
Speaking with journalists after the visit, the Chairman of the Adeleke Campaign Council, Prof. Wale Oladipo, said the people of Ile-Ife remained solidly behind Governor Adeleke because of his performance in office.
According to him, the governor enjoys widespread support in the ancient town due to his respect for traditional institutions, particularly the Ooni of Ife, as well as the various infrastructure projects executed by his administration across Ile-Ife and other parts of Osun State.
Oladipo cited projects including the ongoing flyover, road constructions and rehabilitation works in several communities within Ile-Ife, saying residents were ready to reciprocate the governor’s efforts with electoral support.
According to him, “Well, you can see for yourself. Ife is Accord. Ife is for Ademola Adeleke, and Ademola Adeleke is for Ife. This is not by coincidence; it is due to his record of performance.To start with, he recognises and respects our monarch. Our culture is very important to us here, and this throne is the most important institution in our lives after God. That is the reality for every typical Ife person. His respect for Kabiyesi is legendary, and his recognition of the throne is deeply appreciated.
Secondly, look at the infrastructural development he has brought to our city.”
He also appealed for peaceful conduct ahead of the governorship election, stressing that the Adeleke campaign organisation does not believe in violence and would continue to pursue peace throughout the electioneering period.
The campaign council chairman urged opposition parties to embrace peace, maintaining that elections should not be treated as a do-or-die affair and that the will of the people should prevail at the polls.
He said “We want peace in the land. It is through peace that development can come. Nigeria already has enough problems with violence, kidnappings, herdsmen, and other security challenges. We don’t want such things to happen in our state. We don’t want them to happen in our city here. Ife is a peaceful city. The Ooni stands for peace. So, all of us are for peace.I will appeal to the other side that they should also give peace a chance. Elections should not be a do-or-die affair. If people say they don’t want you, and you have ruled for 12 years and don’t have much to show for it, and the people say you should go and rest, then you should go and rest.Maybe in 2030 they can come back with a better programme. And if the people decide that they want them in 2030, so be it. But for now, people want Imole. They should just let it be.”
Also speaking, the Director-General of the campaign council, Senator Lere Oyewumi, said the visit to the Ooni was necessary as the campaign team formally commenced mobilisation for Adeleke’s re-election bid.
Oyewumi explained that, as Yoruba people, members of the campaign council considered it important to seek the blessings of the Ooni before embarking on statewide campaigns.
He added that the visit was also to appreciate traditional rulers in Ile-Ife for their support of the governor’s second-term ambition, noting that the 16 crowned kings in Ile-Ife had earlier endorsed Adeleke’s re-election and offered prayers for the success of his administration.
According to him, the campaign council deemed it necessary to express gratitude for the support and assure the monarchs that Governor Adeleke would continue to make them proud if re-elected.
He said, “All 16 crowned kings in Ife, apart from the Ooni himself, have declared their support for the second-term bid of Senator Ademola Adeleke. They took it upon themselves to visit the governor at the Government House, where the Obalufe spoke on behalf of the other crowned kings, declaring their support for the governor’s re-election. They prayed for him and expressed their support for him.This is very rare in Yorubaland. These are highly respected Obas. As a campaign council, we felt the need to come here and express our gratitude to them, show deep appreciation for the gesture they have extended to the governor, and assure them that the governor will continue to make them proud in a second term.”
Earlier, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, urged politicians and their supporters to conduct themselves peacefully before, during and after the election.
The monarch warned against violence and bloodshed, stressing that political contests should not destroy relationships or divide communities.
Oba Ogunwusi maintained that, as the Ooni of Ife, he remains a father to all irrespective of political affiliation, adding that the outcome of the election would ultimately be determined by the will of God and the choice of the people.
He urged all stakeholders to remain united and committed to peace, while expressing hope that the best candidate would emerge victorious at the poll.
Among those present during the visit were the Deputy Governor of Osun State, Prince Kola Adewusi; former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Lasun Yusuf; member representing Ede North/Ede South/Egbedore/Ejigbo Federal Constituency, Hon. Bamidele Salam; the Osun Accord Party Chairman, Pastor Victor Akande; the PDP Chairman, Hon. Sunday Bisi; and the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment,Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, top government officials, among others.
