The Ife monarch calls on Osun leaders and residents to put peace, unity and development ahead of partisan interests as Adeleke presents his Certificate of Return

The Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II, has urged political leaders and residents of Osun State to embrace peace, unity and continued development as Governor Ademola Adeleke formally presented his Certificate of Return at the Ooni’s Palace in Ile-Ife on Sunday evening.

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Ooni Ogunwusi, the Permanent Chairman of the Southern Nigerian Traditional Rulers Council and Co-Chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria, made the appeal during Adeleke’s visit following the governor’s victory in the August 15, 2026 governorship election.

The monarch called on political actors to place the interests of Osun residents above partisan considerations, stressing the importance of stability and collective effort in sustaining the state’s development.

Adeleke arrived at the palace with Deputy Governor Prince Kola Adewusi, Chairman of the Imole Campaign Council Professor Wale Oladipo, members of the Osun State Executive Council and other government officials and political stakeholders.

The visit carried a strong ceremonial and personal dimension, with the governor presenting his Certificate of Return to the traditional ruler and seeking his continued prayers and support.

“We are here to praise God and to show appreciation. I came here to present the Certificate of Return. I feel Baba’s prayers,” Adeleke said.

The governor added that the monarch’s encouragement had given him confidence during difficult periods in his administration.

“Whenever I encounter challenges, I always feel the courage that Baba has prayed for me, and I feel the prayer,” Adeleke said.

Adeleke also expressed appreciation to the people of Ile-Ife for their support, saying the historic city had continued to experience transformation under his administration.

The governor’s visit came after the Independent National Electoral Commission declared him the winner of the August 15 governorship election, extending his political mandate in the state.

For the Ooni, however, the occasion was about more than an electoral victory. His appeal placed renewed emphasis on the responsibility of political leaders to work towards reconciliation and development after a competitive election.

Traditional rulers have historically occupied an important position in maintaining dialogue among communities and political actors in Osun, particularly in periods when political competition has heightened tensions.

Ile-Ife, regarded as a major cultural and historical centre of Yoruba civilisation, also gives the Ooni’s intervention a wider traditional significance.

The monarch’s call for unity therefore carries a message directed not only at government officials but also at communities and residents across the state.

The emphasis on development reflects the broader expectations facing Adeleke as he continues his administration.

Beyond electoral politics, issues such as infrastructure, education, healthcare, employment and the welfare of residents remain central to how the governor’s renewed mandate will ultimately be judged.

The palace visit also provided an opportunity for Adeleke to acknowledge the influence of traditional institutions in his political journey.

His remarks about the Ooni’s prayers suggested a relationship built around personal respect as well as the customary role of the traditional institution.

The monarch’s intervention offers a conciliatory note after an election period that inevitably divided political loyalties.

By urging leaders and residents to look beyond partisan interests, Ooni Ogunwusi has placed peace and public welfare at the heart of the next phase of Osun’s political journey.

For Adeleke, presenting the Certificate of Return at the palace was both a formal acknowledgement of his electoral success and a symbolic appeal for continued traditional support.

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As the political contest gives way to another period of governance, the Ooni’s message is clear: the value of victory will ultimately be measured by the peace it preserves, the unity it strengthens and the development it delivers to the people of Osun State.