Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has said the people of Osun remain his most valuable asset as he hinted at seeking re-election in the 2026 governorship race.
Speaking on Sunday at the 11th undergraduate and 7th postgraduate convocation ceremonies of Adeleke University, Ede, where he was conferred with an honorary doctorate degree, the governor expressed deep appreciation for the support he has enjoyed across the state.
“Osun people have been our strength, and they continue to be our strength,” Adeleke said. “As in every true democracy, the people are the ultimate determinant of power. The power of voters to enthrone leaders through the ballot has been our greatest asset.”
The governor, who has been in office for nearly three years, also defended his performance, stating that his administration has exceeded expectations both within and outside Nigeria.
“We innovate, we sacrifice, and we think out of the box to positively transform several sectors of our society,” he noted. “Our waking and sleeping agenda has been and will always be people’s welfare and aspirations.”
Adeleke’s remarks come amid increasing political activity in Osun ahead of the next election cycle. Political analysts say the governor’s strong grassroots connection could be decisive if he seeks another term.
While addressing the graduating students, Adeleke congratulated them on their academic achievements and expressed optimism that their knowledge would contribute positively to national development.
In his own address, the Pro-Chancellor of Adeleke University and the governor’s elder brother, Dr Deji Adeleke, raised concerns about the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral system. He said recurring incidents of electoral fraud have continued to erode the value of votes and warned that such practices are damaging the country’s economy.
“People don’t take elections seriously anymore because their votes hardly count,” Deji Adeleke said. “This disenfranchisement is affecting how citizens engage with the economy and democracy.”
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of Adeleke University, Professor Solomon Adebola, announced that a total of 1,133 students graduated across six faculties and the College of Postgraduate Studies.
“For the first time in the history of our university, two students have emerged as the best graduating undergraduate students with a CGPA of 5.00,” Prof Adebola said.
The outstanding graduates are Jeg Tigwog of the Department of Languages and Literary Studies and Awotayo Taiwo Samuel of the Department of Political Science.
In the postgraduate category, Oyewolo Musefiu Omotosho from the Department of Civil Engineering emerged as the best overall Master’s degree graduate with a cumulative weighted average of 82.75. The best PhD graduate was Jeffrey-Ebhomenmen Blessing Okojie from the Department of Religious Studies with a cumulative weighted average of 78.49.
The convocation ceremony brought together dignitaries, academics, and family members to celebrate the academic feats of the graduating class and to reflect on the broader challenges facing Nigeria’s democracy and governance.
