Osun monarchs endorse Adeleke for second term
TIMOTHY AGBOR, OSOGBO
Satisfied with the achievements of Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State in the last five months since he was inaugurated, two prominent traditional rulers in the state have endorsed the governor for a second term in office.
This came as the governor, still basking in the euphoria of his victory against his major contender in the July 16, 2022 governorship election, Gboyega Oyetola, at the Supreme Court, declared his forgiveness for all those who might have offended him during his struggle to assume the leadership of the state.
Governor Adeleke stated this while on a ‘thank you visit’ to the palaces of Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olaonipekun, Larooye II and Timi of Ede, Oba Munirudeen Adesola Lawal, Laminisa 1 after the unanimous verdict of the apex court went in his favour.
The two monarchs, while hosting the governor separately, said they were impressed with the way Adeleke kick started his policies upon assumption of office, adding that the governor deserves to rule the state beyond 2026.
In his remarks, the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olaonipekun said given the sound footing Governor Adeleke had started his administration, it has given a clear signal of a departure from the past and a brilliant outcome of what to expect.
Addressing the governor, the monarch said, “You have started your administration brilliantly and I’m impressed with the steps you’re taking each day in the delivery of good governance for the people of our state. With my royal authority, I hereby endorse you for another term in office and a continuity of the government you’re heading in the state.”
Similarly, Oba Munirudeen Adesola Lawal, the Timi of Ede, the hometown of the governor, he wants to be a royal father of a two term governor.
While offering praises to God for the eventual victory of Governor Adeleke, Lawal recalled the tough battle and enormous sacrifice of many loyalists and admirers of the governor, saying for 12 years he was blacklisted at the state level as a PDP traditional ruler.
He however pledged that he will constantly be reminding the governor of the promises made to the people, adding that, “There are seasons for everyone in life. This is summarily our time. We will deliver and meet the aspirations of Osun people while we assure others that their time will definitely come.
“I charge you (Adeleke) to increase the tempo of the good works you’ve started because of diverse and huge expectations of people and I’m certain you will deliver because you have started well
“I want to be the father of a governor for eight years of two consecutive uninterrupted terms. By this, I will continually be giving constant reminders of what to be done and what’s best for the people, that will ensure the reality of this. No matter the challenges, your government will succeed and your continuity in office is certain. You have my royal endorsement for your administration,” the monarch declared.
Speaking earlier, the governor, who was accompanied on the tour by his deputy, Kola Adewusi; the Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaye and other top party and government officials, promised to be a governor for all citizens of the state notwithstanding their political or religious affiliations.
Adeleke said, “I’m now a governor for all. For those who didn’t vote for me, I have no grudges against them. That’s the beauty of democracy. I have forgiven all those that offended me in our quest to serve our people. Even though some went overboard, engaged in an overbearing attitude and were destructive towards the cause we believed in, all those have now been left behind. The victory God granted us has overwhelmed whatever anybody might have done to me in the past. The goal now is how to move Osun forward.”
The Governor further praised the two monarchs for playing a huge fatherly role in the governorship project by standing as a pillar of support for him and his family.
Governor Adeleke assured the monarchs in their different palaces that he would not disappoint the trust the people have in him and would continue to strive to make Osun better than he met it with infrastructural development springing up across the state.
“They initially said most of the applaudable projects we embarked on when we started our administration was because of the 2023 general election, but interestingly, we’ve never stopped delivering on projects in the state so far.
“I want to assure our royal fathers and the good people of Osun that distraction is over. We will not disappoint you. We have the authority and power now, we will use it justly for the progress of this state and welfare of the people,” Adeleke stressed.
