Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has intensified his push for peace and political reconciliation, reaching out to former governors and opposition leaders across the state in a fresh effort to heal post-election divisions and foster unity among political stakeholders. A statement by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, said Adeleke spoke with former governors Bisi Akande, Olagunsoye […]
Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has intensified his push for peace and political reconciliation, reaching out to former governors and opposition leaders across the state in a fresh effort to heal post-election divisions and foster unity among political stakeholders.
A statement by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, said Adeleke spoke with former governors Bisi Akande, Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Rauf Aregbesola over his ongoing peace and reconciliation initiative.
The governor also placed telephone calls to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, and the APC governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, as part of the outreach.
The engagements were held in connection with activities marking the 35th anniversary of the creation of Osun State. Adeleke used the occasion to felicitate political leaders and appeal for their support for peace after the election.
According to the governor, the anniversary was an opportunity to recognise the contributions of leaders from different political groups to the development of the state. He said his central message during the outreach was the need to promote peace and reconciliation.
Adeleke repeated his position that there was no winner or loser in the broader sense after the election, saying the contest had ended and that attention should now return to governance and the healing of wounds created by the electoral process.
He said he was also mindful of President Bola Tinubu’s appeal for him to lead efforts towards peace-building and reconciliation in the state. Adeleke described the assignment as one of the priorities reflected in his state address.
The governor appealed to former governors and other candidates who participated in the last governorship election to join the reconciliation process, saying Osun must unite and create conditions that would enable residents to benefit from democracy and good governance.
He also promised to sustain his peace initiative as part of efforts to maintain development in the state, describing the responsibility as a sacred task to which he was passionately committed.
The governor’s reconciliation efforts came as the Osun State Election Violence Relief Committee also began moves to address the consequences of election-related violence, calling on victims to submit their cases for consideration.
The committee is chaired by the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, who made the appeal at its maiden meeting, according to a statement by his Press Secretary, Olamide Tiamiyu.
Egbedun said the committee’s assignment was humanitarian and sensitive, explaining that members would hear from victims, verify genuine claims and work to ensure that appropriate relief gets to people who suffered losses during election-related violence.