The World Bishops Council (WBC), Africa Chapter, and the Religious Engagement (Christianity) Committee have declared their support for the re-election of Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, ahead of the August 15 governorship election, describing him as a leader with “divine duties” yet to be fulfilled in the state.

In a statement issued in Osogbo, the Osun State leader of the World Bishops Council, Bishop Mike Adebomi, said the council was backing Governor Adeleke because of what it described as his peaceful disposition and inclusive style of governance.

According to the council, Adeleke’s administration has promoted harmonious relations among religious groups in the state, unlike previous periods when disagreements between Christians and Muslims resulted in prolonged legal disputes.

The bishops recalled that some individuals associated with those religious disagreements are seeking to become governor again but maintained that Adeleke had restored peace and deserved another term in office.

The council urged eligible voters across Osun State to support the governor at the polls and also appealed to President Bola Tinubu, the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies to ensure that the election is free, fair and peaceful.

Christian committee backs second term

In a related development, the Religious Engagement (Christianity) Committee working for Governor Adeleke’s re-election also declared its total support for the governor, describing him as the most experienced among the candidates contesting the governorship election.

The endorsement followed a meeting held in Osogbo on Tuesday involving the committee’s chairman, sub-committee leaders, liaison officers and coordinators from the 30 local government areas and the Ife-East Area Office, Modakeke.

Members of the committee said they voluntarily resolved to work for the governor’s re-election and pledged to mobilise voters across the state to cast their ballots in his favour during the August 15 election.

Calls for prayers, peaceful election

In a communiqué signed by the committee’s Chairman, Bishop Seun Adeoye, Vice Chairman, Pastor Wale Akinyemi, and Assistant Secretary, Rev. Caleb Akanni, the group expressed confidence in Adeleke’s ability to deliver more dividends of democracy based on his performance during his first term.

The committee described the governor as “a man of grace” and said his leadership is rooted in his acknowledgement of God, adding that they believe he still has divine responsibilities to fulfil in Osun State.

To support what it described as a peaceful and successful electoral process, the committee announced a seven-day fasting and prayer programme scheduled to run from August 8 to August 14, praying for peaceful conduct of the governorship election and Governor Adeleke’s success at the polls.