Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has renewed his call for peace and political reconciliation in the state, reaching out to some former governors and political leaders as Osun marks its 35th anniversary.
Adeleke reportedly held discussions with former governor and ex-national chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Chief Bisi Akande, as part of efforts to heal divisions arising from the recent governorship election.
According to a statement by the governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, Adeleke told Akande that political leaders must work together to restore unity and strengthen consensus in the state.
The governor also contacted former governors Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Rauf Aregbesola, while he spoke on the phone with former governor Gboyega Oyetola and the APC governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji.
However, the statement said Oyetola and Oyebamiji had not responded to the governor’s calls as of the time of the report.
Explaining his outreach, Adeleke said the 35th anniversary provided an opportunity to engage leaders across political divides and promote healing.
He said, “Election has come and gone, and it is time for us to return to governance and healing of electoral wounds.”
The governor added that his administration remained committed to ensuring peace and unity across the state, saying, “There is no victor, no vanquished.”
Adeleke further said he was responding to President Bola Tinubu’s call for him to champion peacebuilding and reconciliation in Osun.
He said, “We must unite our people and prepare an enabling environment for them to enjoy the dividends of democracy and continuous delivery of good governance.”
Meanwhile, the Osun State Election Violence Relief Committee has called on victims of election-related violence to submit their cases for consideration.
The committee, chaired by the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, said it would verify genuine claims and ensure that appropriate relief reaches those who suffered losses during the election-related violence.
Egbedun described the assignment as both humanitarian and sensitive, stressing the need for the committee to listen to victims and properly assess their claims.
