- pledges never to disappoint his people
By John Dike, Osogbo
Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has promised to commence a political healing process in the state, pledging to unite residents across political divides and govern with equity, fairness and inclusiveness.
He also announced the setting up of a Commission of Inquiry into the violence that accompanied the recent governorship election, saying the body would investigate the causes of the violence and recommend measures to prevent a recurrence.
Adeleke made the disclosure on Thursday in a statewide broadcast to mark the 35th anniversary of the creation of Osun State.
The broadcast came barely two weeks after the August 15 governorship election, which was preceded by months of intense political activities, allegations of violence and intimidation, and heightened tension among supporters of the major political parties.
While reflecting on the recent political experience, he acknowledged the pains, sacrifices and disruptions suffered by residents, particularly families who lost loved ones and persons who sustained injuries during the period.
The governor expressed sympathy with affected families, assuring them that the sacrifices made by victims would not be allowed to go in vain.
He said the recent experience had underscored the need for the people and political actors to strengthen democracy, respect the rule of law and avoid actions capable of threatening the peace and stability of the state.
According to him, the people of Osun had demonstrated remarkable commitment to democratic principles by refusing to abandon the ballot despite the difficult circumstances surrounding the election.
Adeleke said residents had, over the past two years, continued to heed his appeals not to take the law into their own hands, even when confronted with what he described as serious provocations.
“My good people of Osun State, it is with deep sense of gratitude and appreciation that I address you on this occasion of the 35th anniversary of the creation of our dear state,” he said.
“When I look back and review the past and recent developments, I cannot but applaud the commitment and unrivalled passion of our people for the growth and development of Osun State.”
The governor said the recent political crisis had caused significant disruption to the lives of residents, adding that the state must now move beyond the bitterness and divisions generated by the electoral contest.
“I recognise the pains and sacrifices of our people in the last few months. We all recognise the unfortunate disruptions in our lives due to the recent governorship election,” he said.
“In many fora, I empathise with many families who lost loved ones. Your sacrifices and those of many who were injured will not go in vain.”
Adeleke described the August 15 election as one of the toughest tests of the identity, courage and democratic credentials of Osun people since the creation of the state.
He commended residents who trooped out to exercise their franchise despite fears and political tension, saying their conduct had demonstrated their belief in democracy and the rule of law.
“My people, you demonstrated tenacious belief in democracy and the rule of law,” the governor said.
He recalled that residents had remained peaceful for more than two years despite the political challenges confronting the state.
According to him, the people resisted the temptation to resort to self-help, even when faced with what he described as the “worst form of provocations.”
Adeleke said the conduct of the electorate on election day showed that the people preferred the democratic process to violence.
He said: “On the day of election, you trooped out en masse to exercise your voting rights. You did so with candour and fearlessness. Amidst reign of terror, you rejected the guns and embraced the ballot.”
The governor added that residents not only voted but also defended their votes, in some instances at great personal risk.
“As true sons and daughters of the source, you not only voted but you defended your votes even at personal risk to your lives. Again, I doff my cap for your courage and patriotism,” he said.
He said Osun people had, by their conduct, demonstrated to the country and the world that the state remained a stronghold of democratic values.
Adeleke described the people as men and women of valour and integrity, saying the recent election had provided another opportunity for Osun to demonstrate its democratic maturity.
Commission of Inquiry coming
As part of efforts to address the consequences of the election, Adeleke announced that his administration would establish a Commission of Inquiry into the violence recorded during the electoral process.
He said the commission would provide an avenue for victims and other affected residents to submit memoranda on what happened in their communities.
The governor explained that the inquiry would seek to identify the causes of the violence, establish appropriate remedies and make recommendations on how similar incidents could be prevented in future elections.
“Our administration is setting up a Commission of Inquiry on election violence,” Adeleke said.
“The body will take memorandum from all victims and residents who are affected by recent electoral violence. This initiative is to identify the causes and remedies and proffer ways to stop such recurrence in the future.”
The announcement is expected to provide an institutional mechanism for addressing complaints arising from the election while giving victims an opportunity to formally present their experiences.
Adeleke said the state could not afford to allow the events surrounding the election to become a recurring feature of its political process.
He urged politicians and their supporters to learn from the experience and embrace peaceful means of resolving disagreements.
Compensation fund for election victims
He also announced the establishment of an election victim compensation fund to provide support for people affected by the violence.
He said the fund would be headed by the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun.
According to him, the initiative was designed to cushion the effects of the violence on victims and families who suffered losses.
He described the violence as needless, stressing that government had a responsibility to respond to the plight of those affected while also working to prevent future occurrences.
The compensation initiative, he said, would complement the Commission of Inquiry and form part of the broader effort to address the consequences of the election.
The governor, who secured another mandate in the recent election, promised that his administration would pursue reconciliation and ensure that governance was not used to discriminate against political opponents or any section of the population.
He pledged an administration that would be inclusive, fair and attentive to criticism.
“My people, as you have again conferred the leadership mandate on me under recent difficult circumstances, I promise to heal the wounds, unite the people and uphold equity and fairness,” Adeleke said.
“Our administration will be all inclusive and attentive to criticisms in our bid to strengthen state development.”
He said criticism would not be viewed as an obstacle to governance, but as part of the democratic process and an avenue through which government could improve its policies and programmes.
The governor’s pledge comes at a time of deep political divisions in the state following the closely contested election.
He said the priority of his administration would now be to rebuild confidence, restore unity and concentrate on development.
Infrastructure, economy, education, health get priority
Adeleke said his administration would build on what he described as its achievements in infrastructure, digital economy, sports development, agricultural mechanisation, education and healthcare.
He promised that these sectors would continue to receive attention as the government enters another phase of its administration.
The governor said youths, women and students would continue to receive special attention through targeted government policies and programmes.
He also pledged to expand industrialisation while ensuring that workers’ welfare remained an important component of government policy.
According to him, the state would pay greater attention to rural integrated development in the coming years.
He said development would not be concentrated in major towns and cities alone, adding that rural communities must equally benefit from government programmes and investments.
The governor also identified ease of doing business as another area that would receive renewed attention.
He said the government would create a more conducive environment for businesses and investors while pursuing policies aimed at generating employment and expanding economic opportunities.
Focus shifts to wealth creation, anti-poverty programmes
Adeleke said his administration would place greater emphasis on wealth creation and poverty reduction.
He said the government would deepen its anti-poverty initiatives while expanding opportunities for residents to become economically productive.
According to him, the administration would strengthen cooperative-sector financing as part of its efforts to promote financial inclusion.
He said the initiative would help more residents, particularly those who may not have access to conventional financing, to obtain funds for productive economic activities.
The governor also promised to further refine the local content model in the implementation of government projects.
He said greater participation by local businesses and professionals would help keep more economic value within Osun and strengthen the state’s economy.
Five-point agenda remains
Adeleke assured residents that his administration would continue to implement its renewed five-point agenda.
He said the implementation of government programmes would remain subject to due process, procurement regulations and best practices in project execution.
The governor stressed the importance of transparency and compliance with established procedures in the implementation of public projects.
He said the administration would continue to pursue its development agenda while ensuring that government resources were deployed responsibly.
Appeal against reprisal attacks
The governor also used the anniversary broadcast to appeal to residents to resist the temptation to engage in reprisal attacks.
He urged political parties, their supporters and residents across the state to remain law-abiding and allow the relevant institutions of government to address complaints arising from the election.
“As we celebrate the anniversary of the creation of our dear state, I urge all residents to be law abiding and avoid violence. We must not engage in reprisal attacks,” he said.
Adeleke said the establishment of the Commission of Inquiry was intended to ensure that victims had an avenue to seek redress without resorting to violence.
He maintained that the state must learn from the recent experience and put mechanisms in place to ensure that future elections were conducted in a peaceful environment.
Tribute to Osun founding fathers
The governor also paid tribute to the founding fathers of Osun State, saying they would be proud of the resilience and determination demonstrated by the people over the past 35 years.
He said the creation of the state represented the culmination of years of agitation and commitment by the people who believed that Osun deserved to have its own administrative identity.
Adeleke said the best way to honour the founding fathers was to continue building a state based on democratic values, good governance, justice and development.
He said the people’s resistance to political violence and their participation in the electoral process represented a fitting tribute to those who fought for the creation and development of Osun State.
According to him, the recent experience was not merely about defending the electoral process but also about protecting good governance and the rule of law.
Osun’s democratic reputation
Adeleke said Osun had emerged from the recent election with an important lesson for the rest of the country.
He argued that the decision by residents to embrace the ballot despite political tension demonstrated that the people understood the importance of democratic participation.
The governor said the people had shown that political differences could exist without destroying the state.
He described Osun as the cradle of the Yoruba race and said its people had once again demonstrated qualities of courage, integrity and valour.
He expressed confidence that the state could continue to serve as a model for democratic practice in Nigeria.
Looking ahead, Adeleke said the next phase of his administration would be focused on consolidating development while rebuilding relationships among residents.
He called on the people to put the bitterness of the election behind them and work collectively for the advancement of the state.
The governor said political contests should not permanently divide communities, families and friends, stressing that elections would come and go but the people would remain.
He assured residents that his government would continue to listen to them and respond to their concerns.
Adeleke said he was conscious of the responsibility that came with the renewed mandate and would work harder to justify the confidence placed in him.
He said: “On this anniversary day, we have a lot to be proud of despite our challenges. I seek your continued cooperation to further deliver good governance.”
“I will work harder never to disappoint you, the great people of Osun State.”
The governor’s anniversary message therefore combined a celebration of Osun’s 35-year journey with a strong appeal for reconciliation following the turbulence surrounding the recent governorship election.
With the proposed Commission of Inquiry into election violence, the election victim compensation fund and his pledge to run an inclusive administration, Adeleke is seeking to move the state into a new phase of governance focused on healing, unity and development.
He wished the people of Osun a happy 35th anniversary and prayed for the continued progress of the state and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
