Osun 2022: US Delegation visits Osun, To Meet With Stakeholders

By Rafiu Agboola, Osogbo

A team from the United States Mission in Nigeria, arrived Osun State on Wednesday, as part of its effort to ensure that the forthcoming governorship election in the state is devoid of violence.

The US government delegates led by US Embassy Political and Economic Chief, Mr Brandon Hudspeth, stressed the need for a peaceful and hitch-free governorship election in Osun State which the people of the state and indeed Nigeria would be proud of.

Hudspeth, while addressing Governor Gboyega Oyetola during a courtesy visit to his office, informed the governor that they will be meeting election stakeholders in state ahead of 2022 gubernatorial poll.

He informed the governor that the US was interested in the Osun governorship poll, added, “Our expectation is that the election will take place in a free and credible manner.”

He expressed readiness to the US to partner with Osun State Governor to deliver credible election during guber poll of the state slated for July 16.

According to Hudspeth, “The reason why we are here is because of the forthcoming election in Osun State in 2022. We hope that the election will be free and credible because there are expectations within and outside this country over the forthcoming election in this state.

“Our expectation is that the election should be fair and credible. We partner with Nigeria to ensure free and credible elections. We are meeting with you as the first citizen of the state and our officials will also meet security officials, civil societies and other stakeholders. We will be in the state for the next couples of months and we are ready to work with you for free and credible election in 2022 in this state.”

Responding to the US government, Governor Adegboyega Oyetola assured that Osun State election will set pace for the general election in 2023.

He boasted that APC remain party to beat during the 2022 governorship election in the state.

He said, “We are used to it, I remember in 2018 we received delegate from the US that wanted to know the programme we had for credible election and we were able to meet up to the expectations of the US and other missions that are interested in our democracy.

“So far so good we make policies to make Osun the best in the country. We have done very well in the area of health, infrastructure, economy, education, youth empowerment and mining.

“We are trying to change the narrative of the state from a civil servant state. We are looking at the area of Agriculture, Tourism and Mining. Although we have challenges in the area of mining because of environmental degradation. We are encouraging institutional miners from Australia, Canada and America too. We are naturally endowed in the area of mineral resources and we are looking for partners.

I want to tell you that we are looking forward to a credible election in Osun state. We are the party to beat, I am the candidate to beat anytime any day. The fact speaks for itself. We’ve cared so much about the welfare of the people and ensuring their security. We pay salaries regularly. We have done congress, primary peaceful in the state so APC remain party to beat anytime any day.“

The US government delegates includes; Janine Lewis, Sterling Roop, James Svor, Arnold Abulvine and Halima Abubakar.