Senator Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has been sworn in as the as the 6th civilian governor of Osun State in a ceremony attended by top dignitaries and hundreds of residents.
He became the Governor, after he was administered the oaths of allegiance and office by the State’s Chief Judge, Justice Oyebola Adepele-Ojo.
The judge also administered the oaths on the new Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adegboyega Adewusi.
Adeleke took the oath of office around 11:47 a.m. The oath was administered by Oyebola Adepele-Ojo, the Chief Justice of Osun State.
Immediately after the governor took the oath of office, his deputy also mounted the podium where he swore his own oath.
In his inaugural address at the ceremony held at the Osogbo City Stadium in the Osun State capital on Sunday, Adeleke promised to serve the people and tackle the challenges facing the state, saying: “As I accept the mantle of leadership entrusted upon me by the people of our dear state, I am conscious of the enormous challenges and responsibilities ahead of me and will begin from this hour workday and night with deep sense of purpose to be a servant to you all.”
While pledging to reduce the poverty rate and deliver dividends of democracy to the people, he said it is no longer business as usual in the state.
“Let me state here that from the education, health, mining sector, agriculture, road infrastructure, and supply of potable water, let it be known to all that it is no longer going to be business as usual. And I repeat, it is no longer business as usual,” the ‘Dancing Senator’ told the gathering.
“Our administration will demonstrate a high sense of urgency, transparency, justice, and innovation to tackle and solve the problems of poverty, illiteracy, disease, and poor infrastructure.”
Speaking after his swearing-in, Adeleke said he is “well aware” of the expectations from the residents in the state and that he will be a servant to all.
The governor said his reforms will cut across education, security, healthcare, infrastructure, local government administration, judiciary, public service, adding that his administration will be labour friendly.
“I am well aware of the fact that my responsibility as governor and chief security entails meeting the expectation of our people.”
Sunday’s event came months after Adeleke of the PDP defeated then-incumbent Gboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to become the sixth governor of the South-West state.
Adeleke’s victory in July came in his second attempt after losing to Oyetola in the 2018 guber race.
His inauguration, which was attended by top members of his party – the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) – including Atiku Abubakar, his wife Titi, his running mate Ifeanyi Okowa, and national chairman Iyorchia Ayu, also saw his superstar nephew David Adeleke better known as Davido making a first public appearance since his son Ifeanyi’s death.
It was also graced by traditional rulers led by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi.
There were Governors Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom, Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto, Duoye Diri of Bayelsa States, the minority leader of the House of Representatives, Ndidi Elumelu, a former governor of Osun State, Olagunsoye Oyinolola, and a former governor of Oyo State, Rasheed Ladoja, Oragun of Ila, Wahab Oyedotun, Bukola Saraki, former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose.
However, the five governors of the PDP opposed to Mr Ayu were conspicuously absent from the inauguration.
Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers, Seyi Makinde of Oyo, Samuel Ortom of Benue, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu were all absent at the event. The other four are loyalists of Wike who lost the PDP presidential ticket to Atiku. They have since demanded the removal of Mr Ayu as chairman for peace to reign in the party.
Their absence and Mr Ayu’s presence suggest the new Osun governor will not be part of their G5 but is instead loyal to Atiku.
Adeleke, who contested the governor election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), defeated Gboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who was seeking re-election.
Adeleke secured 403, 371 votes to defeat Oyetola who polled 375,027 votes.
