Moment Governor Adeleke prostrates before Ooni, presents Certificate of Return after Osun election victory

• Ademola Adeleke prostrated before the Ooni of Ife and presented his Certificate of Return during a thanksgiving visit to the monarch.

• Adeleke won the August 15 Osun governorship election with 511,067 votes, defeating APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji.

• The governor had already received the official INEC Certificate of Return on August 19; Sunday's presentation was a ceremonial one to the Ooni.

• The Ooni congratulated Adeleke and urged him to prioritise peace, unity, inclusive governance and infrastructure development during his second term.

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has prostrated before the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, and presented his Certificate of Return to the monarch following his victory in the August 15 governorship election.

Adeleke made the presentation during a visit to the Ooni’s palace in Ile-Ife on Sunday, August 30, where he also sought the monarch’s prayers and support ahead of his second term in office.

The governor was accompanied by his deputy, Prince Kola Adewusi, Chairman of the Imole Campaign Council, Professor Wale Oladipo, members of the Osun State Executive Council and other government officials and political stakeholders.

Explaining the reason for the visit, Adeleke said it was an opportunity to give thanks to God, appreciate the Ooni and seek his continued prayers.

“We are here to praise God and to show appreciation. I came here to present the Certificate of Return. I feel Baba’s prayers. Whenever I encounter challenges, I always feel the courage that Baba has prayed for me, and I feel the prayer,” Adeleke said.

The governor’s visit came after he secured victory in the August 15 governorship election, defeating the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Oyebamiji.

Adeleke, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), polled 511,067 votes, while Oyebamiji received 444,815 votes. African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate Najeem Salaam came third with 17,180 votes.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had subsequently presented Adeleke and his deputy with their official Certificates of Return on August 19 at the commission’s office in Osogbo.

The document presented to the Ooni on Sunday was therefore not the governor’s first or official receipt of the certificate from INEC, but its presentation to the traditional ruler during the governor’s thanksgiving visit.

During the palace visit, the Ooni congratulated Adeleke on his victory and called for peace and unity in Osun State.

The monarch urged political leaders and residents to place the interests of the state above political differences and ensure that the governor’s second term is focused on development.

“We want peace in Ife. We thank God that there was no bloodshed in Ife during the governorship election. We don’t want violence again in Osun,” the Ooni said.

The monarch also urged Adeleke to pursue inclusive development across the state and called for greater attention to infrastructure, particularly road projects in Ile-Ife.

The Ooni commended development projects already undertaken in the ancient city and encouraged the state government to maintain cooperation with traditional institutions.

Other traditional rulers who attended the event also congratulated Adeleke.

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The Obalufe of Ife, Oba Idowu Adediwura, called for the rehabilitation and improvement of the Ife Township Stadium, while the Ogunsua of Modakeke, Oba Joseph Olubiyi Toriola, joined in congratulating the governor and called for continued peace and development.

The visit also produced a lighter moment, with videos from the palace showing Adeleke prostrating before the Ooni as a traditional gesture of respect and later dancing during the celebration.

Adeleke is expected to begin another four-year term after winning the election, with his administration facing calls from traditional rulers and other stakeholders to consolidate ongoing development projects and ensure that the benefits of government reach communities across Osun State.