By Peace Udugba
SAN says decision was driven by peace, political sportsmanship and the interest of Osun people
Senior Advocate of Nigeria and political activist, Kunle Adegoke, has said the withdrawal of petitions challenging the outcome of the 2026 Osun State governorship election should not be interpreted as an endorsement that the election was completely free and fair.
Adegoke said the decision not to pursue the legal challenge was driven by the need to allow Osun State to move beyond the post-election dispute and prevent political disagreements from creating further tension.
He made the clarification on Thursday during an exclusive interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun State.
The SAN was speaking against the backdrop of the controversy surrounding petitions purportedly filed to challenge the outcome of the August 15 governorship election, in which Governor Ademola Adeleke was declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
INEC declared Adeleke the winner with 511,067 votes, ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, who polled 444,815 votes.
Although petitions purportedly filed by the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were subsequently displayed at the Osun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Osogbo, both parties later distanced themselves from the cases.
The APC legal team said it had decided, after consultations with Oyebamiji and party leaders, not to challenge the election, citing the need to reduce tension and maintain peace in the state. The petition was subsequently withdrawn by the counsel who had filed it after receiving fresh instructions from the party and its leaders.
The PDP also disowned the petition filed in its name, saying its candidate, Adebayo Adedamola, had not authorised any legal challenge to the election.
Adegoke said the decision not to pursue the matter in court should be understood in the context of political sportsmanship and the broader interests of the people of Osun State.
According to him, political actors had resolved to allow bygones to be bygones, particularly following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s congratulatory message to Adeleke.
“We are resolved to let bygone be bygone. And on that basis, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu came out with a release where he congratulated Governor Ademola Adeleke,” Adegoke said.
He, however, stressed that the congratulatory gesture should not be interpreted as a declaration that there were no reservations about the conduct of the election.
“The implication is that we are not saying that the election was free and fair, completely without any shadow of doubt or reservations here and there,” he said.
The SAN explained that political actors could acknowledge an election result while retaining reservations about aspects of the electoral process, adding that the decision was fundamentally aimed at allowing Osun to move forward rather than prolonging the political contest through litigation.
He said the decision was not a surrender of political principles or an admission that the election result was beyond question.
Rather, he described it as a conscious decision to place the interests of the people above an extended battle for political power.
“The decision, notwithstanding the results of the election, is a confirmation of our own humanity and our own desire to serve the people, and fight for power and for office,” he said.
Adegoke also maintained that his side had not formally challenged the election through the APC, saying the purported petition did not represent an official decision of the party.
He said the party eventually took steps to withdraw from the process, insisting that the development should not be portrayed as a formal protest against the election.
“We never protested the election,” he said.
‘Election Victory Is Not Licence for Arrogance’
The SAN also linked the decision to a broader philosophy of political conduct, arguing that electoral victories should not create hostility between people who contested against one another.
“When you contest an election and you win, it is not a licence to be hypocritical, arrogant or complacent. It is a mandate given to you to serve the people,” Adegoke said.
He argued that political contests should end with the election and should not permanently damage relationships among members of the same society.
“The person against whom I contested is not my enemy. We were merely contestants. We both wanted to serve the same society,” he said.
Adegoke urged politicians to recognise the difference between political competition and personal hostility, stressing that the development of Osun should remain the central objective.
“For the interest of sportsmanship, and for good relations, we are supposed to work together to ensure the success of our society,” he said.
Adegoke Unveils Legislative Ambition
Adegoke, who is seeking to represent Osun Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, said his political ambition would not prevent him from working with opponents where such cooperation would benefit the people.
He said his aspiration to occupy the Senate was driven by a desire to contribute to the development of Osun Central and use the district as a model for effective representation.
“I want to develop Osun Central. I want to use Osun Central as a template that will show what I would have done were I to be in the executive,” Adegoke said.
He said his legislative agenda would include constituency projects across the 10 local government areas of the senatorial district, based on the specific needs of each community.
“I will use my legislative position to ensure that constituency projects are constructed in all the 10 local governments and will take into consideration the needs of that particular local government,” he said.
The lawyer also promised effective oversight of government activities, stressing that the National Assembly’s responsibilities go beyond disciplining members of the executive who violate the law.
“These are part of the supervisory functions that I am going to ensure that we carry out. It is not always when we want to discipline somebody in the executive who has committed an offence that the National Assembly will have to come in,” he said.
Adegoke noted that constituency projects were funded with public resources and should therefore address the actual needs of the people.
“When it comes to constituency projects, it is not my father’s money. It is government money that they are appropriating,” he said.
He added that he would not operate in isolation if elected, stressing the importance of consultation, knowledge and engagement with stakeholders.
“I cannot work in isolation. I cannot go there without acknowledging the wealth of knowledge and understanding that exists around me,” he said.
‘I Will Reach Out to My Opponents’
Adegoke said his approach to politics would be based on cooperation, maintaining that political differences should not prevent elected representatives and their opponents from contributing to societal development.
“We are supposed to work together to ensure the success of our society. I will reach out to my opponents to see how we can better the lot of our society. I’m not going to do it in isolation, so long as they are willing to cooperate with me,” he said.
He maintained that the ultimate responsibility of politicians was to ensure that political competition did not destroy the society they sought to govern.
According to him, public office should be approached with restraint, humility and a commitment to service.
Adegoke reiterated that the withdrawal of the petitions should therefore be viewed as a decision to prevent an electoral disagreement from becoming a source of prolonged political tension, rather than a declaration that the election was entirely free of controversy.
He urged political actors to focus on the progress of Osun State and allow the people to benefit from peaceful governance.
“Let society enjoy its peace. Let the poor breathe,” Adegoke said.
