When Ijesa People Rejects Election Violence, with Massive Votes for Governor Adeleke
By Abisola Ariwodola,
Voters in Ijesa land on Saturday, August 15, 2026, turned out in large numbers to reject election violence and elect Governor Ademola Adeleke of the ACCORD Party, describing him as “a peaceful and people-oriented Governor.”
From Ilesa, to Ipetu-Ijesa, Ijebujesa, Esa-Oke, Iloko-Ijesa, and to Erinmo-Ijesa, polling units recorded impressive turnout as residents chose ballots over chaos.
Community leaders and voters said the message from Ijesa land was clear: development and stability matter more than intimidation. “We Chose Peace Over Violence.”
“We revolted against violence with our votes. Governor Adeleke has governed peacefully and carried all zones along. Ijesa people want progress, not trouble,” a voter in Ilesa said after casting his ballot.
Women groups, youth associations, and traditional rulers mobilized residents, urging peaceful conduct throughout the day.
INEC officials arrived early and voting proceeded with BVAS accreditation. Security agencies including Police, NSCDC, and others were deployed to ensure order, and the election process was peaceful across Ijesa towns, despite early warning before the election which flagged the zone as a violence area.
Civil society observers commended the conduct, noting that Ijesa land set an example of how democracy should work “with votes, not violence.”
It can be recalled that Ijesaland recorded the highest numbers of loss of lives due to political violence and tussle for power supremacy before the election.
At the INEC State Collation Center in Osogbo on Sunday, August 16, Governor Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke was declared winner of the 2026 Osun Governorship Election with 511,067 votes.
Political analysts noted that the massive support from Ijesa land was a key factor in the ACCORD victory, reflecting endorsement of the administration’s peaceful governance style.
What This Means for Ijesa Politics is that the 2026 result shows a growing trend in Ijesaland: as voters prioritise performance and peace over political projection and violence.
While traditional and political leaders remain influential, the Ijesa electorate demonstrated independence in deciding who governs them.
Olajengbesi Appreciates Ijesa People:
Following the declaration of results, Barrister Pelumi Olajengbesi, a prominent son of Ijebujesa in Oriade part of Ijesa land, appreciated the people for their massive support and peaceful conduct.
In a statement, Olajengbesi commended Ijesa voters for choosing Governor Adeleke with their votes and for defending democracy.
“I sincerely appreciate the good people of Ijesa land for standing firm, rejecting violence, and voting for peace, development and continuity. Your votes for Governor Ademola Adeleke have shown that Ijesa people value good governance. We will not take this trust for granted,” he said.
Olajengbesi also urged the Governor to prioritize more development projects across Ijesa land in his second term.
Celebrations in Ilesa and other Ijesa towns were peaceful, with residents expressing hope for more roads, schools, and developments in the Governor’s second term.
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