Ademola Adeleke, Osun

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has disclosed that his administration paid over N80 billion in inherited pension debt and over two-thirds of the half-salary arrears in the state.

The governor also boasted that his administration has delivered beyond expectations, as he shared his administration’s scorecard and plans for the next four years, if elected for a second tenure.

Adeleke stated this on Tuesday while speaking at the town hall meeting organised by Arise TV for candidates contesting the August 15 Osun State governorship election.

He recalled that in 2022, the state’s finances couldn’t pay these accumulated debts.

Adeleke, however, said he holds the welfare of workers in high esteem, which gives him the greatest sense of fulfilment.

“I’m proud of all I have achieved in the last four years. But specifically, I am happy about workers’ welfare. We did a lot to redeem our pensioners and workers in Osun State.

“I’m truly happy about how we addressed the problems and challenges facing Osun public workers. The pensioners, senior citizens, are happy with me. The workers love me. The first job of a government is the welfare of the people. I fulfilled that responsibility.

“It was not possible to pay the accumulated half-salary and pension debts, but I’ve shown the world that if there is political will, difficult issues can be resolved.

“Our government has paid over two-thirds of the half-salary debt. We have paid over N80 billion of inherited pension debt. We have reformed the public service. I’ve also implemented several measures for workers’ welfare. Osun workers appreciate it. They’ve endorsed me for re-election,’ Adeleke affirmed.

The governor, seeking a return to office on the platform of the Accord Party, contested for and won the 2022 governorship election in 2022, as a candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party.

Speaking on his former party, the governor stated that he left because of the crisis that rocked the party, saying he found it hard to leave.

“I left the PDP to join Accord because of the crisis in the PDP then. I love PDP so much, and it was difficult to leave. I would have run as an independent candidate in this election if it were allowed in Nigeria,” he said.

He also boasted about his scorecard since assuming office, saying, “Before talking about the next tenure, let me list what I have achieved so far: 350 kilometres of roads, three flyover bridges, six dualised roads, rehabilitation of over 200 primary healthcare centres, rehabilitation of 150 schools, the establishment of the University of Ilesa, the purchase of 31 new tractors, disbursement of almost N2 billion in cooperative funds, among many others.”

He pointed fingers at the Nigeria Police Force for their alleged involvement in the Saturday poll.

Adeleke, therefore, stated that he had alerted President Bola Tinubu and the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, as he called for tight security before and during the election.

“I’m not comfortable with the partisan posture of the police in particular. I have raised the alarm on several occasions. The police authorities seem to have turned a deaf ear.

“On a daily basis, the police are arresting my members. Yesterday alone, four Accord leaders were again arrested. I’ve lost seven members of my party, with over 20 suffering various gun injuries. Over 60 Accord members are in various illegal police detention.

“I now have new reports even suggesting police direct involvement in rigging the election on Saturday. I have alerted Mr President and the Inspector-General of Police. The job of the police is to provide security, not to interfere in the electoral process. I am asking for a free and fair election. Nothing more,” he said.

Adeleke urged the people of Osun to shun any forms of violence as the state yearns for a free and fair election.

On the heels of the recent account freeze by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Adeleke said he appreciated the president’s intervention on the matter, as he was “promised a free and fair election by President Tinubu.

“I’m not worried that I’m contesting against a party that has 34 governors; I’m a bulldozer. If they like, they should bring all their governors; they are all my friends. They are not the ones to come and vote here; they can only support their party.”