Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has called on residents of the state to put the divisions and tensions that accompanied the governorship election behind them and embrace peace, forgiveness and unity.
Adeleke made the appeal after securing victory in Saturday’s governorship election, which earned him another term in office.
The governor said the conclusion of the electoral process should mark the beginning of a new phase in which residents, regardless of political affiliation, work together for the progress of Osun State.
Speaking to journalists on Sunday after his victory, Adeleke urged his supporters and other residents not to engage in acts of revenge against political opponents or individuals with whom they may have had disagreements during the election period.
He said there was no justification for post-election violence, stressing that political differences should not be allowed to destroy relationships, communities or the peaceful coexistence of residents.
The governor’s appeal comes against the backdrop of reported incidents of violence in some parts of Osun during the weeks leading up to the election.
He therefore encouraged residents to forgive one another and focus their attention on rebuilding trust within their communities.
Adeleke also called on traditional rulers, community leaders and other influential figures to play an active role in restoring peace.
He urged them to use their positions to discourage retaliation and promote reconciliation among residents who may have been divided by political disagreements.
As part of the remembrance for those affected by the violence, the governor observed a minute’s silence in honour of victims who lost their lives during the pre-election period.
“The issues are settled by the grace of God and the people,” Adeleke said.
The governor dedicated his victory to God and the people of Osun State, describing the election as a reflection of the confidence placed in his administration by residents.
He praised the people for remaining resilient and demonstrating what he described as a strong commitment to democracy despite the political tension that preceded the poll.
According to the governor, the new mandate comes with greater responsibility, as residents expect his administration to build on its achievements while addressing areas where it has not performed as expected.
He promised to strengthen the policies and programmes that have produced positive results under his administration while taking corrective measures in areas where improvements are required.
“As you have trusted me with a second term in office, I will reinforce my strong points and correct my errors. Osun will witness further accelerated development and growth under my renewed five-point agenda,” he said.
The governor also extended a conciliatory message to his opponents, insisting that the outcome of the election should not create a permanent divide among the people of the state.
He described himself as the governor of all residents of Osun, regardless of the political parties they supported during the election.
“There is no victor and no vanquished. I am the governor of all Osun people,” he said.
He explained that his administration’s vision for the state goes beyond winning elections, saying the ultimate objective is to create an economy capable of providing opportunities for residents and attracting investors.
Adeleke reiterated his ambition to move Osun away from being largely dependent on the civil service and reposition it as an industrial and investment destination.
He said his administration would continue to pursue policies aimed at accelerating economic growth, expanding development and ensuring that the benefits of government reach more residents across the state.
“Osun State is on the march again. We shall expand development and widen the net of good governance,” he said.
The governor further acknowledged the role played by various stakeholders in the electoral process. He particularly commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as his support for a free and fair election.
Adeleke described Tinubu as a son of Osun State and used the opportunity to reaffirm his previous support for the President’s bid to secure another term in the 2027 presidential election.
“Mr President is a son of Osun State, and I hereby reaffirm my earlier endorsement of him for a second term in the 2027 presidential election,” he said.
The governor also expressed appreciation to Nigerians living within the country and those in the diaspora who supported what he referred to as the democratic struggle in Osun.
He said the experience surrounding the election had further strengthened his belief in democratic principles and the importance of allowing citizens to determine who leads them through the ballot box.
Adeleke equally commended journalists and media organisations for their coverage of the election, acknowledging their role in keeping the public informed throughout the electoral process.
With the election now concluded, the governor urged residents to shift their attention from political competition to governance and development.
He said the next phase should be centred on improving the lives of residents, strengthening communities and ensuring that Osun continues to make progress.
Adeleke’s message also signals an attempt to draw a line under the intense political contest that preceded the election.
By extending an olive branch to his opponents and calling for reconciliation, the governor said the people of Osun must now look beyond party loyalties and work towards a common future.
He assured residents that his second term would be focused on delivering more development while correcting shortcomings identified during his first tenure.
The governor’s renewed commitment to development, he said, would be matched by efforts to expand the reach of good governance throughout the state.
He therefore urged residents to unite behind the broader goal of building a peaceful, economically vibrant and investment-friendly Osun State, stressing that the progress of the state should remain the shared responsibility of everyone.
About The Author
