Adeleke Reaches Out To Osun Ex-Governors, APC Leaders For Post-Election Reconciliation

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has intensified efforts to promote peace and reconciliation in the state following the August 15 governorship election, reaching out to former governors and key political leaders across party lines.

As part of the initiative, Adeleke yesterday held discussions with former Governor and former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bisi Akande, where they discussed the need to restore political interaction and consensus among the state’s political elite.

The engagement came as Osun marked the 35th anniversary of its creation, providing the governor an opportunity to congratulate former leaders of the state while advancing his post-election peace and reconciliation agenda.

Adeleke also spoke with former Governors Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Rauf Aregbesola, briefing them on his ongoing efforts to heal the divisions generated by the election and the pre-election violence recorded in parts of the state.

The governor, according to his spokesperson Mallam Olawale Rasheed in a statement, further reached out by telephone to former Governor Gboyega Oyetola and the APC governorship candidate in the August 15 election, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji.

However, there was no response to the calls as of the time of filing this report.

Explaining his decision to reach out to political leaders across divides, Adeleke said the 35th anniversary of the state provided an opportunity to celebrate the contributions of past leaders while also renewing the call for peace and unity.

“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.

“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.

“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,” the governor said.

Adeleke stressed the need for political leaders to put the election behind them and work towards creating an atmosphere where the people could enjoy the benefits of democracy.

“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,” he added.

The governor’s latest engagements form part of his broader efforts to reconcile political interests in the state and promote healing following a highly contested governorship election.