Adeleke Welcomes Oyebamiji’s Call for Peace, Urges Unity in Osun
By Waliu Adetokun, Osogbo
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has welcomed the call for peace by the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, describing it as a positive development after weeks of heated campaigns and political tension in the state.
spokesperson to the Governor, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday, saying Adeleke described Oyebamiji’s peace advocacy as a positive tone after weeks of heated campaign and election season.
Adeleke, who also met with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday, said the peace initiative was particularly important following the tension and violence recorded in parts of the state during the build-up to the August 15 governorship election.
The governor called on all political parties and their supporters to exercise restraint and work towards restoring peace across the state.
He said his administration and supporters had never adopted violence as a means of pursuing political interests, despite the pressure that accompanied the election campaign.
Adeleke also recalled the challenges he faced in restraining his supporters from retaliating against alleged attacks during the election period, saying the Accord Party lost 15 members, while 20 others were injured and several supporters were detained by the police.
“I am forever a man of peace. It is heartwarming that my brother, Oyebamiji, is also preaching peace. I assure him that my supporters have not and will not attack APC members,” Adeleke said.
He urged political leaders and their supporters to put the election behind them and concentrate on the development of the state.
“Elections have come and gone and we are all winners. The common task for us all is to sustain delivery of democratic dividends and good governance to the good people of Osun State,” he said.
Adeleke also called on former governor Gboyega Oyetola, Oyebamiji and other opposition leaders to join hands with his administration in moving the state forward.
“I welcome Mr Gboyega Oyetola, Bola Oyebamiji and other opposition leaders to join hands with me to take Osun to greater heights. We are all important stakeholders in this Osun project,” the governor said.
Adeleke was declared winner of the August 15 governorship election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), securing 511,067 votes against Oyebamiji’s 444,811 votes.