Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has commenced fresh moves to unite the state’s political class, reaching out to former governors and leaders of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in pursuit of lasting peace following the August 15 governorship election.a

The governor’s latest reconciliation efforts saw him engage former Governor of the state and former National Chairman of the APC, Chief Bisi Akande, as part of activities marking the 35th anniversary of the creation of Osun State.

During the engagement, Adeleke reportedly discussed the need to rebuild political relationships, restore regular interaction among the state’s political elite and foster consensus on issues affecting the development of Osun.

The governor, according to his spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, in a statement, also reached out to former Governors Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Rauf Aregbesola, sharing his vision of bringing together political actors across party lines and healing the divisions created by the recently concluded election.

In the same spirit, Adeleke placed telephone calls to former Governor Gboyega Oyetola and the APC governorship candidate in the election, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji.

However, the two APC figures had not responded to the calls as of the time of filing this report.

Adeleke, who has repeatedly called for peace since the conclusion of the election, said his outreach was aimed at ensuring that the state moves beyond the bitterness associated with the electoral contest and returns its focus to governance and development.

According to him, the anniversary celebration provided an opportunity to appreciate the contributions of past leaders while also renewing his commitment to peace and reconciliation.

“We are celebrating the 35th anniversary of the creation of our dear state. So, it is customary that I felicitate with leaders from various groups. I commended them for their contributions to state development.o

“Then, my central message is to preach and act for peace and reconciliation. I repeated my earlier statement that there is no victor, no vanquished. Election has come and gone, and it is time for us to return to governance and healing of electoral wounds,” Adeleke said.

The governor said the peace initiative was also in line with the charge by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for him to champion peace-building and reconciliation in Osun State.

“I am conscious of the request of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that I should champion peace-building and state reconciliation. That is my preoccupation as reflected in my state address and that is my appeal to my predecessors and even my fellow contestants in the last governorship election,” he stated.

Adeleke maintained that political differences should not be allowed to undermine the collective interest of Osun people, stressing that unity remained critical to sustainable development.

“We must unite our people and prepare an enabling environment for them to enjoy the dividends of democracy and continuous delivery of good governance.

“I will not stop in my peace drive to sustain development. This is a sacred task I am passionately committed to,” the governor added.

The latest outreach is coming against the backdrop of Adeleke’s earlier calls for healing and unity after the governorship election, which he described as a contest that should now give way to governance and development.

Please follow and like us: