Adeleke and Oyetola
By Thomas Abidoye
Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has explained that his attempts to reach former Governor Gboyega Oyetola and the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, were part of his efforts to promote peace, reconciliation and unity in the state.
Adeleke made this known in a post on his X handle on Friday while reflecting on the 35th anniversary of the creation of Osun State.
The governor said he reached out to some of his predecessors to congratulate them and discuss the need for peace, reconciliation and unity in the state.
He said he spoke with former Governors Bisi Akande, Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Rauf Aregbesola, while also attempting to contact Oyetola and Oyebamiji by phone, although he was unable to speak with them.
According to Adeleke, his message was that the election was over and there was a need for stakeholders to focus on healing, reconciliation and unity.
He said he remained conscious of the charge by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to champion peacebuilding and reconciliation in the state.
Adeleke said he would continue to reach out to stakeholders irrespective of their political affiliations, stressing that Osun belongs to everyone.
He added that his peace and reconciliation efforts were aimed at creating an environment where residents could enjoy the dividends of democracy and benefit from continued development.
The governor said he remained committed to the responsibility of healing the state, uniting its people and building a greater Osun.
He wrote, “Yesterday, as we celebrated the 35th anniversary of the creation of our dear Osun State, I reached out to some of my predecessors across the state to congratulate them and, more importantly, to discuss the urgent need for peace, reconciliation and unity.
“I spoke with former Governors Chief Bisi Akande, Senator Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. I also reached out by phone to former Governor Gboyega Oyetola and the APC governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, unfortunately, I wasn’t able to get them on the phone. My message was simple: there is no victor, no vanquished. The election is over; it is now time to heal, reconcile and unite our people.
“I remain conscious of the charge by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to champion peacebuilding and state reconciliation. I will therefore continue to reach out to all stakeholders, regardless of political affiliation. Osun belongs to all of us, and we must create an environment where our people can enjoy the dividends of democracy and benefit from continuous development.
“This is a sacred responsibility I am passionately committed to. I will not stop in my peace and reconciliation drive. Together, we will heal Osun, unite our people and build a greater state.”
