We have taken Osun State from insolvency to prosperity –Governor Adeleke

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State recently addressed a Town Hall meeting in Osogbo, where he fielded questions on the issues shaping his bid for re-election. The Governor spoke candidly about his administration’s record over the past three and a half years, from clearing inherited debt to infrastructure delivery, while also addressing concerns about political violence and the conduct of security agencies ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.

In your 2022 governorship debate, there were arguments about half salary and pension debt. What is the situation now?

It is true that in 2022, my predecessor, Governor Gboyega Oyetola, said it was not possible to pay those accumulated half salary and pension debts. But I have shown the world that where there is political will, difficult issues can be resolved. Our government has paid over two thirds of the half salary debt. We have paid over N80 billion of inherited pension debt. We have reformed the public service, and I have implemented several measures for workers’ welfare. Osun workers have appreciated it. They have endorsed me for re-election.

You dance and sing. It is your signature trait. Does it not affect your performance on the job?

Not at all. My dancing has two reasons. I have every reason to thank God all the time; my God has been very good to me, so like David in the Bible, I use every opportunity to sing His praises. Secondly, I take singing as my hobby. Everybody has something that makes him happy; mine is praise singing. Does it affect my job as Governor? No. There is a time to work and a time to play. In almost four years of my governorship, I have delivered beyond expectations. I am a very serious, focused leader of this great state, and that has shown in how I have touched every corner of it.

You have been in office for almost four years. What areas of your achievement make you feel most fulfilled?

I am proud of all I have achieved in the last four years, but I am especially happy about workers’ welfare. We did a great deal to redeem our pensioners and workers in Osun State, and I am truly pleased with how we have addressed the problems and challenges facing public workers here. The pensioners and senior citizens are happy with me, and the workers love me. The first duty of a government is the welfare of its people, and I have fulfilled that responsibility.

You have governed for almost four years.

What should Osun people expect if you are re-elected?

Before speaking about the next term, let me list what I have achieved so far: 350 kilometres of roads; three flyover bridges; six dualised roads; the rehabilitation of over 200 primary healthcare centres; the rehabilitation of 150 schools; the establishment of the University of Ilesa; the purchase of 31 new tractors; and the disbursement of almost N2 billion in cooperative funds, among many other achievements.

Osun has been in the news for some time over political violence. Why is the election process turning to killings and gun attacks?

An election is about the people making their choice. I believe candidates should campaign on their programmes and achievements, but my opponents have nothing to campaign with. They were in government for twelve years, and their party lost the confidence of the people. So the APC has become desperate and launched a campaign of violence. I have lost seven members of my party, with over twenty suffering gunshot injuries. Over sixty Accord members are currently in illegal police detention. The people of Osun know the aggressors are the APC. To make matters worse, the police are aiding APC thugs in killing and maiming Accord members.

Democracy is about the choice of the electorate. Are you comfortable with the current preparations for Saturday’s governorship election?

I am not comfortable with the partisan posture of the police in particular. I have raised the alarm on several occasions, but the police authorities seem to have turned a deaf ear. On a daily basis, the police are arresting my members; yesterday alone, four Accord leaders were arrested. I now have new reports suggesting direct police involvement in rigging Saturday’s election, and I have alerted the President and the Inspector General of Police. The job of the police is to provide security, not to interfere in the electoral process. I am asking for a free and fair election, nothing more.

Security is key to a peaceful electoral process. What is your message to the various security agencies?

I thank the security agencies for mobilising to ensure the security of lives and property. I appreciate the military, the DSS, the Civil Defence Corps and other agencies, including the police. I task them to be neutral and non partisan; that is my message to them. They should not become instruments of rigging and manipulation. Their job is to be fair to all parties. They are there to stop thuggery, not to empower thugs.

Osun people have seen you in action, and they are in good stead to judge you on Saturday. What is your message to them?

I urge the people of Osun not to fight, but to vote and protect their votes. Monitor the distribution of materials before the election. After voting, stay to observe the counting of votes, and follow the results to the collation centres. Be vigilant. You have the constitutional right to vote and to be voted for, and I urge Osun people to stand up for those rights. Secondly, I ask the people of Osun to re-elect me. My first term has yielded many good things for our state. One good term deserves another.