Adeleke seeks reconciliation with Osun opposition leaders

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has reached out to former governors and opposition leaders in the state as part of efforts to reconcile political groups following the governorship election.

Adeleke, in a statement signed by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, in Osogbo on Friday, said he spoke with former governors Chief Bisi Akande, Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Rauf Aregbesola on his peace and reconciliation drive.

The statement noted that the governor also called the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, and the governorship candidate of the APC, Bola Oyebamiji, on the phone.

Adeleke’s outreach formed part of activities marking the 35th anniversary of the creation of Osun State, which he used to felicitate political leaders and seek their support for post-election peace.

The statement quoted Adeleke as saying, “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 development.

“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 he was conscious of the request of President Bola Tinubu urging him to 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. 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 noted.

This came after the Osun State Election Violence Relief Committee, chaired by the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, called on victims of election-related violence in the state to submit their cases for consideration.

A statement signed by the Press Secretary to the Speaker, Olamide Tiamiyu, said Egbedun disclosed this at the maiden meeting of the committee.

Egbedun, who expressed appreciation to the members for accepting to serve on the committee, said the assignment was both humanitarian and sensitive.

The Speaker stressed that it was the responsibility of the committee to listen to victims, verify genuine claims and ensure that appropriate relief reached those who suffered losses as a result of election-related violence.