Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State recently addressed a Town Hall in Osogbo where he spoke about issues affecting his re-election and the progress his administration has brought to the state in three and a half years. He insists that his opponents are orchestrating violence because they have nothing to campaign with. General Editor, Politics, TAIWO ADISA, presents the excerpts:
In your 2022 governorship debate, there were arguments about half salary and pension debt. What is the situation now?
It is true that in 2022, my predecessor, Governor Gboyega Oyetola, said it was not possible to pay those accumulated half salary and pension debt. But I have shown the world that if there is political will, difficult issues can be resolved. Our government has paid over two-thirds of the half salary debt. We have paid over N80 billion of inherited pension debt. We have reformed the public service. We have implemented several measures for workers’ welfare. Osun workers are appreciative of our efforts; that is why they have endorsed me for re-election.
You dance and sing. It is your signature point. Is it not affecting your performance on the job?
Not at all. My dancing has two reasons. I have every reason to thank God all the time. My God has been very good to me. So, like David in the bible, I use every opportunity to praise singing God. Secondly, I take singing as my hobby. Everybody has something that makes him happy. Mine is praise singing. Does it affect my job as a Governor? Nooooo. There are times to work and times to play. In the almost four years of my governorship, I have delivered beyond expectations. I am a very serious, focused leader of this great state. This has shown in how I touched every corner of the state.
You have been in office for almost four years; what areas of your achievements justify your re-election bid?
I am proud of all I have achieved in the last four years. But specifically, I am happy about workers’ welfare. We did a lot to redeem our pensioners and workers of Osun State. I am truly happy about how we addressed problems and challenges facing Osun public workers. The pensioners and senior citizens are happy with me. The workers love me. The first job of a government is the welfare of the people. I fulfilled that responsibility.
So, what should the people of Osun State expect if you are re-elected?
Before talking about the next tenure, let me list what I have achieved so far:350 kilometres of roads; Three flyover bridges; Six dualised roads; Rehabilitation of over 200 primary health care centres; Rehabilitation of 150 schools; The making of the University of Ilesa; Buying of 31 new tractors; Disbursement of almost N2 billion cooperatives fund among many others.
Osun has been in the news for a long time over political violence. Why is the election process turning to killings and gun attacks?
Election is about the people making their choice. I believe candidates should campaign about their programmes or achievements. But my opponents have nothing to campaign with. They were in government for 12 years, and their party lost the confidence of the people. So, the APC became desperate and launched a campaign of violence. I have lost seven members of my party, with over 20 having several gun injuries. Over 60 Accord members are in various illegal police detention. The people of Osun know the aggressors are the APC. To make matters worse, police are aiding APC thugs to kill and maim Accord members.
Democracy is about the choice of the electorate. Are you comfortable with current preparation for Saturday’s governorship election?
I am not comfortable with the partisan posture of the police in particular. I have raised the alarm on several occasions. The police authorities seem to have turned a deaf ear. Daily, the police are arresting my members. Yesterday alone, four Accord leaders were again arrested. I now have new reports even suggesting police direct involvement in rigging the election on Saturday. I have alerted Mr. President and the Inspector General of Police.
The job of the police is to provide security, not to interfere in the electoral process. I am asking for a free and fair election. Nothing more.
Security is key for a peaceful electoral process. What is your message to the various security agencies?
I thank the security agencies for mobilising to ensure the security of lives and property. I appreciate the military, the DSS, the Civil Defence and other agencies, including the police. I task them to be neutral and non-partisan. That is my message to them. They should not become an instrument of rigging and manipulation. Their job is to be fair to all parties. They are to stop thuggery, not to empower thugs.
Osun people have seen you in action. They are in good stead to judge you on Saturday. What will be your message to them?
I task Osun people not to fight but to vote and protect your votes. Monitor the distribution of materials before the election. After voting, hang around to monitor the counting of votes. Follow election results to the collation centers. Be vigilant. You have the constitutional right to vote and be voted for. I urge Osun people to stand up for their rights.
Secondly, I ask Osun people to re-elect me. My first term has yielded many good things for Osun people. One good term deserves another
