Opposition Won't Like This: Ataoja Says He Would Have Asked Every Osogbo Resident to Vote Adeleke

Osun 2026: Ataoja’s Public Praise Strengthens Adeleke’s Re-election Momentum Ahead of Governorship Poll

The political atmosphere in Osun State received another significant boost this week as the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun Oyetunji, publicly commended Governor Ademola Adeleke for what he described as remarkable infrastructural development across Osogbo, declaring that if he were an active politician, he would have urged every resident of the ancient town to vote overwhelmingly for the governor in the forthcoming August 15 governorship election. 

The monarch made the widely discussed remarks during the official commissioning of the newly completed Lameco Flyover Bridge in Osogbo, one of the flagship infrastructure projects executed by the Adeleke administration. The event attracted traditional rulers, political leaders, government officials, community stakeholders, and hundreds of residents, many of whom responded with enthusiastic applause as the royal father acknowledged the governor's developmental efforts. 

Speaking in Yoruba, the Ataoja praised Governor Adeleke for transforming the Osogbo landscape through multiple road and infrastructure projects, noting that the administration had delivered visible dividends of democracy that directly impact the daily lives of residents.

According to the monarch:

> "Governor Ademola Adeleke has done so much in Osogbo. If I were to be a politician, I would have asked that all Osogbo people vote Governor Adeleke en masse."

The statement immediately generated excitement among supporters at the venue, with many interpreting it as one of the strongest public endorsements the governor has received from a respected traditional institution ahead of the governorship election. 

The commissioning ceremony also highlighted the Adeleke administration's broader infrastructure agenda. Governor Adeleke explained that the Lameco Flyover forms part of several completed mega projects being unveiled across Osun State. He maintained that his government's local content policy has enabled indigenous engineers and contractors to deliver quality projects while ensuring transparency and prudent management of public resources. 

The governor disclosed that his administration has completed more than 27 kilometres of intra-city roads within Osogbo alone and over 300 kilometres of roads across various parts of Osun State. He further stated that more than ten major infrastructure projects have been completed and are ready for commissioning, describing them as evidence of his administration's commitment to equitable development throughout the state. 

Governor Adeleke also appealed to residents to safeguard the newly commissioned flyover by avoiding vandalism, illegal trading on the bridge, and other activities capable of damaging the facility. According to him, protecting public infrastructure remains a collective responsibility that will benefit both present and future generations. 

Following the Ataoja's remarks, the Imole Campaign Council expressed appreciation to the royal father, describing his comments as a sincere reflection of the growing confidence many residents have in the current administration. The council said the monarch's acknowledgment of the governor's achievements demonstrated the importance of traditional institutions in promoting development, civic engagement, and peaceful democratic participation. 

Political observers believe the endorsement carries symbolic weight because Osogbo, as the Osun State capital, remains one of the state's most influential political and commercial centres. Public commendation from the Ataoja is therefore viewed as an indication of the positive reception many residents have given to ongoing infrastructure projects within the metropolis, although the outcome of the election will ultimately be determined by voters across all local government areas of the state.

As preparations intensify for the August 15 governorship election, the commissioning of landmark projects such as the Lameco Flyover and the public commendation from the Ataoja have added fresh momentum to Governor Adeleke's campaign narrative, which continues to focus heavily on infrastructure renewal, local economic development, and improved public service delivery.

Whether the goodwill generated by these achievements and endorsements translates into electoral victory will become clear when Osun voters head to the polls. However, the monarch's declaration has undoubtedly become one of the defining political moments in the state's pre-election campaign, reinforcing the significance of visible governance and community-focused development in shaping public opinion.