Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has secured a second term in office, with Muslim stakeholders urging him to use his renewed mandate to promote inclusive governance, ensure fair representation and protect the religious rights of all citizens.
Adeleke, who contested the August 15 governorship election on the platform of the Accord Party, polled 511,067 votes to defeat the All Progressives Congress candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, who scored 444,814 votes, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission.
The governor won 19 of the 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji secured victory in 11.
Following the declaration of the result by the State Returning Officer and Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Oye Ekiti, Prof. Joshua Ogunwole, Muslim stakeholders have also congratulated Adeleke on his re-election.
They outlined their expectations for his second term, with justice, equity, religious freedom, political representation, education, infrastructure and economic empowerment emerging as major areas of concern.
One of the three ‘Deens’ wins
The Osun election featured three leading candidates bearing names associated with the Islam “Deen”: ‘Nurudeen’ Ademola Adeleke of Accord, Munirdeen Bola Oyebamiji of the APC and Najeemdeen Najeem Salaam of the ADC.
Adeleke emerged victorious with 511,067 votes, making him the one of the three “Deens” to secure the governorship.
However, his religious identity remains a subject of controversy, as he has neither publicly confirmed nor denied his religious adherence – either as a Muslim or a Christian.
The outcome has nonetheless heightened expectations among Muslim stakeholders, who want the governor to ensure religious freedom, fair representation and inclusive governance during his second term.
Stakeholders demand justice, equity
Oba Uthman Wansaki urged Gov Adeleke to put Allah first in whatever he does and make justice, peace and equity central to his administration.
“I will tell him to put Allah first in whatever he intends to do; allow equity, peace and justice to be paramount in his actions and deeds,” Wansaki said.
He also urged the governor to ensure that government policies put ordinary citizens and non indigenes at the centre of development.
“Any of his policies must make sure he carries an ordinary citizen and non indigene of Osun as the centre point of development and action,” he added.
Also speaking, Ahmed Adesola called on Gov. Adeleke to continue his development projects while ensuring fair representation across local governments, religious communities and zones.
“He should continue with good deeds and ensure that there’s fair representation across local government, religion and zone in his government.”
Adesola also urged the governor to extend his development efforts to education and communities that he believes were left out during the first term.
On his part, Adegboye Adekunle similarly called for a religiously balanced cabinet, saying the outcome of the election reflected the choice of the majority of voters.
“The will of the majority of voters prevailed in the election. Congratulations to the winner and the Osun people,” he said.
Muslims seek tangible benefits
For Sulaiman Ogunleye, Muslim inclusion should go beyond political appointments and translate into tangible benefits for individuals and communities.
“My expectation from Governor Adeleke is that he should empower individual Muslims through tangible projects, meaningful appointments and key positions that will have a direct and positive impact on Muslim communities,” he said.
Meanwhile, on the part of Abdulwasiu Adewale, Adeleke should complete the Hajj Camp and Government House Mosque projects associated with his administration.
“He should help us complete the Hajj camp and Government House mosque he started. Allah will be with Nurudeen Adeleke,” he said.
Marginalisation controversy
The expectations come against the backdrop of a contentious debate over Adeleke’s first term, during which the Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, and other Muslim stakeholders accused the administration of religious marginalisation.
MURIC, through its Executive Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, had criticised what it described as an imbalance in political appointments and inadequate representation of Muslims in government, while a coalition of the Concerned Muslim Stakeholders and League of Alfas also questioned the administration’s approach to issues affecting the Muslim community.
The Osun State Government rejected the allegations, describing them as misinformation and politically motivated claims.
The government maintained that Adeleke had appointed qualified Muslims to important positions and pointed to the Government House Mosque and Osun Hajj Camp as evidence of his administration’s commitment to the Muslim community.
Some other Muslim organisations in the state also defended the governor, rejecting the allegations of religious bias.
Hajj Camp, mosque under scrutiny
However, some Muslim stakeholders disputed the government’s claims concerning the level of completion of the Hajj Camp and Government House Mosque, making the two projects potential accountability issues during Adeleke’s second term.
For some stakeholders, the expectation is that the projects should not only be completed but become fully functional and beneficial to the Muslim community.
Muslim community congratulates Adeleke
Meanwhile, the Osun State Muslim Community, led by its President, Alhaji Mustafa Adeleke Olawuyi, congratulated the governor on his re election and called for unity, peace and development.
The group urged Adeleke to govern with magnanimity and ensure fairness regardless of religion, ethnicity or political affiliation.
It also called for greater attention to infrastructure, education, affordable healthcare and economic opportunities, while urging stronger engagement between government and faith based organisations.
The Muslim community pledged to promote peace, interfaith dialogue and constructive engagement with the government.
Muslims call for religious freedom
Hajia Shakira Modupe Adunola urged Gov. Adeleke to recognise Muslims as citizens seeking fairness and peace and to protect their freedom to practise Islam.
“I will respectfully remind the Governor that Muslims are simply citizens seeking fairness and peace,” she said.
“Allowing Muslims the freedom to practise their faith fully according to its authentic guidance is essential for true freedom and justice.”
Beyond political appointments
The election also exposed divisions within Osun’s Muslim community over Adeleke’s first term. While some Muslim groups opposed his re-election, others defended his administration.
Now that the election is over, stakeholders say the focus should shift from political competition to constructive engagement and accountability.
For the Muslim community, the second term presents an opportunity for Adeleke to address concerns over representation, religious freedom, completion of Muslim related projects, education, empowerment and equitable development.
The governor’s renewed mandate therefore comes with a fresh set of expectations from Muslims and other residents of the state.
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