Tinubu cautions Adeleke against stigmatising Osun election opponents
President Bola Tinubu has urged Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, not to stigmatise or shame his opponents following his victory in the recently concluded governorship election.
Tinubu made the appeal on Thursday when Adeleke visited him at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, stressing that the governor had won an election rather than conquered his political opponents.
“Don’t stigmatise any of your opponents,” Tinubu told Adeleke. “The people of Osun State pronounced their judgment on you that they love you and want you to govern. So you’re going back to govern.”
The President said anyone who could not celebrate a free and fair election did not deserve the joy and benefits of democracy.
“Anybody, any democrat, anybody in the political environment who cannot celebrate the joy of a free and fair election does not deserve the laughter and the happiness of democracy,” he said.
Tinubu urged Adeleke not to make any individual a victim of the election campaign, saying the governor should instead use his position to build unity in the state.
“Don’t make a single individual a victim of your campaign. Not for you alone; not for the sake of Osun alone, but for the generations to come. It’s more important for you to build a network of unity,” he said.
“As I said, you did not conquer anybody. You won an election. That is the essence of democracy. I’m so happy that we have this talk,” Tinubu added.
The President also advised Adeleke to reciprocate the support he received from the people of Osun State by broadening his political reach through his actions and governance.
He urged the governor to use his own political journey as an example, saying his rise to the presidency was ultimately determined by divine providence and the support of the people.
“Use me as an example. And I got here. God put me here. Where you are today, God put you there. Not the smartness of any of these people.
“It’s just their support, not their smartness. It’s the wish of God that prevailed and the wish of the people for you,” Tinubu said.
The President told Adeleke that he was in a “very unique position to make history”, urging him to promote unity, peace and stability in Osun State.
Tinubu also commended Adeleke for what he described as a progressive instinct displayed during the election campaign.
“All you’re doing now is progressive instinct. And you did a very good mobilisation with your team — very good job,” he said.
He urged the governor to continue promoting democracy, stability and the rule of law as he begins another term in office.