Adeleke Reaches Out to Akande, Oyinlola, Aregbesola, Oyetola, Oyebamiji for Osun Reconciliation
By Waliu Adetokun, Osogbo
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has intensified his efforts to promote peace and reconciliation in the state following the recent governorship election, reaching out to former governors and other key political stakeholders.
Adeleke, on Thursday, held discussions with former governor of the state and former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bisi Akande, as part of efforts to foster political understanding and unity among the people of Osun.
The governor also spoke with former governors Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Rauf Aregbesola, while he placed telephone calls to former governor Gboyega Oyetola and the APC governorship candidate in the August 15 election, Bola Oyebamiji.
The discussions took place as Osun marked the 35th anniversary of its creation, with Adeleke using the occasion to commend the former leaders for their contributions to the development of the state.
According to a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, Adeleke used his conversation with Akande to discuss the need for greater interaction among political leaders and the restoration of consensus after the election.
The governor also briefed the former governor on the reconciliation and peace-building measures being pursued by his administration, urging political leaders across party lines to support efforts aimed at healing the divisions created by political activities and pre-election violence.
Adeleke said his outreach was driven by the need to put the election behind the state and focus on governance, peace and development.
“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 developments.
“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 his reconciliation initiative was also in response to a request by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that he should champion peace-building and reconciliation in the 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 guber election,” he said.
Adeleke urged political leaders to put aside their differences and work together to create an environment where residents could benefit from democratic governance.
“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 said.
As of the time of filing this report, Oyetola and Oyebamiji had yet to respond to the governor’s telephone calls.
The latest outreach is part of Adeleke’s post-election efforts to mend political relationships and promote peace and unity among stakeholders across Osun State.
