Governor Ademola Adeleke has asked Osun voters to renew his mandate on Saturday, declaring that his administration has transformed the state through major infrastructure projects, improved workers’ welfare and payment of billions of naira in inherited pension obligations. The governor spoke at a Town Hall meeting in Osogbo while highlighting what he described as the […]

Governor Ademola Adeleke has asked Osun voters to renew his mandate on Saturday, declaring that his administration has transformed the state through major infrastructure projects, improved workers’ welfare and payment of billions of naira in inherited pension obligations.

The governor spoke at a Town Hall meeting in Osogbo while highlighting what he described as the major achievements of his administration during its first three-and-a-half years in office.

Adeleke said his government inherited significant financial obligations, including accumulated half-salary and pension debts, but had made substantial progress in clearing them. He said more than two-thirds of the half-salary debt had been paid, while over N80bn of inherited pension liabilities had also been settled. The governor added that his administration had reformed the public service and introduced several measures aimed at improving the welfare of workers and pensioners.

Among the projects he highlighted were 350 kilometres of roads, three flyover bridges and six dualised roads, as well as the rehabilitation of more than 200 primary healthcare centres and 150 schools. He also listed the establishment of the University of Ilesa, acquisition of 31 new tractors and the release of almost N2bn in cooperative funds among the initiatives undertaken by his administration.

Addressing questions about his frequent dancing and singing, Adeleke dismissed suggestions that the activities had affected his performance as governor. He described praise singing as a hobby and a way of expressing gratitude to God, while maintaining that he had remained serious and focused on governance and had touched different parts of the state during his tenure.

The governor, however, expressed concern over the violence that has accompanied the election campaign, accusing the APC of turning to violence because of what he described as its declining popularity among voters. Adeleke alleged that seven members of his party had been killed, more than 20 suffered gunshot injuries and over 60 Accord members were being held in what he described as illegal police detention.

Adeleke also questioned the neutrality of the police ahead of Saturday’s election, alleging that his members were being arrested and claiming that recent reports suggested possible police involvement in plans to manipulate the poll. He said he had informed President Bola Tinubu and the Inspector-General of Police, stressing that security personnel should provide protection and maintain order rather than interfere with the electoral process.

He urged the police, military, DSS, Civil Defence and other security agencies deployed for the election to remain impartial and protect every political party. Adeleke said their duty was to prevent thuggery and violence, not to assist political actors or create conditions for electoral manipulation. Calling on voters to remain peacef