OSOGBO, Osun State — The Osun State Government has showered encomiums on indigenes living abroad who made extraordinary sacrifices to return home and participate in the August 15, 2026 governorship election, which resulted in the resounding re-election of Governor Ademola Adeleke.
Commissioner for Political Affairs and Inter-Governmental Relations, Dr. Biyi Odunlade, in a statement issued in Osogbo, described the massive turnout of diaspora voters as unprecedented and a clear testament to their unwavering commitment to the state’s development and democratic progress.
According to the Commissioner, close to 1,000 Osun indigenes journeyed from Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, Benin Republic, Ghana, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and other nations to campaign, mobilise voters and ultimately cast their ballots in the historic election.
“Your sacrifice, financial commitment and determination to be part of this democratic process show that the love for home is stronger than distance,” Odunlade declared, addressing the diaspora community directly.
He emphasised that the level of participation was unparalleled in the state’s political history, demonstrating the growing influence and relevance of Osun indigenes abroad in shaping the state’s political and socio-economic trajectory.
Odunlade assured that the Adeleke administration fully recognises the invaluable contributions of the diaspora community and would continue to create pathways for their meaningful engagement in policy formulation, investment opportunities, governance and other developmental initiatives.
“We appreciate every one of you who left your businesses, took leave and spent your resources to come home and vote. This government belongs to you too, both at home and in the diaspora,” he added.
The Commissioner specifically acknowledged prominent members of the Osun Diaspora team who played pivotal roles in the mobilisation effort, including Oba Yahaya Adebayo Giwa, President of Nigerian Traditional Rulers in Côte d’Ivoire, who was among the traditional and community leaders championing the homecoming initiative.
Also recognised was Alhaji Kazeem Balogun, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of EDE MALL, Oke Gada, Ede, and owner of KAZ OIL. Based in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, he was a prominent member of the diaspora team that returned to campaign and vote.
The mobilisation effort was also coordinated under the Diaspora Committee of the IMOLE Campaign Council, chaired by Otunba Yemisi Kayode Oladeji from Iresi, who is based in London.
Due to his location outside Nigeria, the committee’s activities were locally coordinated to ensure effective mobilisation and participation of Osun indigenes in the diaspora.
The Secretary of the Diaspora Committee, Comrade Aderinto from Egbedore, also played a key role in coordinating the committee’s activities.
Beyond the election, the Commissioner urged more Osun indigenes living abroad to remain connected to their roots and take advantage of opportunities to contribute to the state’s development.
He encouraged members of the diaspora community to sustain their civic engagement beyond the electoral cycle by supporting investment, education, infrastructure, youth empowerment and other development initiatives across the state.
“The Adeleke administration will continue to regard Osun indigenes at home and abroad as important stakeholders in the state’s development agenda,” Odunlade affirmed.
The massive diaspora participation in the 2026 election marks a turning point in the relationship between Osun State and its citizens abroad, with the government’s renewed commitment to engaging the diaspora setting the stage for deeper collaboration that could unlock new opportunities for investment, knowledge transfer and socio-economic transformation.
For the thousands who traversed continents and oceans to cast their votes, the message is clear: no distance is too far when the heart belongs to home.
