Osun at 35: Gov Adeleke discloses reconciliation talks with former governors

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has disclosed that he has commenced discussions with former governors and political leaders as part of efforts to promote reconciliation and peace following the recent governorship election in the state.

Governor Adeleke, in a statement by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, on Friday, said he held discussions with former governor and former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bisi Akande, on Thursday, using the 35th anniversary of Osun State to advance his post-election reconciliation efforts.

The governor stated that he briefed Akande on the steps being taken to promote peace and reconciliation across the state, while calling for the restoration of interaction and consensus among political leaders.

According to the statement, “Governor Adeleke also discussed the need for political leaders to support a post-election peace agenda and work towards unifying residents divided by pre-election violence.

“The governor subsequently spoke with former governors Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Rauf Aregbesola, explaining his desire to reconcile political groups across the state.”

The statement also said that Adeleke congratulated the former governors on the 35th anniversary of the creation of Osun State and used the occasion to reinforce his appeal for unity and peaceful political engagement.

“The governor placed telephone calls to former governor Gboyega Oyetola and the APC governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, as part of his outreach to political stakeholders.

“However, there had been no response to the calls to former governor Oyetola and Oyebamiji,” the statement noted.

Explaining the purpose of his engagements, Adeleke said, “We are celebrating the 35th anniversary of the creation of our dear state. So, it is customary that I felicitate with leaders from various groups.

“I commended them for their contributions to the state’s development. Then, my central message is to preach and act for peace and reconciliation.”

The governor, who said the election had ended, called on political leaders to focus on governance and healing the wounds arising from the electoral process.

“I repeated my earlier statement that there is no victor, no vanquished. Election has come and gone and it is time for us to return to governance and healing of electoral wounds,” Adeleke said.

Governor Adeleke stated that he was committed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s request for him to champion peace-building and reconciliation, adding that unity was necessary to create an environment for residents to benefit from democratic governance.

“I am conscious of the request of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that I should champion peace-building and state reconciliation. That is my preoccupation as reflected in my state address and that is my appeal to my predecessors and even my fellow contestants in the last guber election.

“We must unite our people and prepare an enabling environment for them to enjoy the dividends of democracy and continuous delivery of good governance,” he said.

He said he would continue with his peace efforts, describing reconciliation as a task to which he remained committed.

“I will not stop in my peace drive to sustain development. This is a sacred task I am passionately committed to,” Adeleke said.

Osun at 35: Gov Adeleke discloses reconciliation talks with former governors