Osun governor highlights roads, healthcare, workers’ welfare and other achievements ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, says his administration has transformed the state’s finances by settling significant inherited debts while investing in infrastructure, healthcare, education and workers’ welfare.
Governor Adeleke made the claim during a Town Hall meeting in Osogbo ahead of Saturday’s governorship election, where he reviewed his administration’s achievements over the past three-and-a-half years.
The governor said his government had paid more than two-thirds of the inherited half-salary debt and over ₦80 billion in pension arrears owed by previous administrations.
He said the administration had also introduced reforms aimed at improving the welfare of public servants, adding that the measures had earned him the support of Osun workers.
On his reputation for dancing and singing at public events, Governor Adeleke said the habit had not affected his performance as governor.
He explained that singing was both an expression of gratitude to God and a personal hobby, stressing that he remained focused on governance.
“There are times to work and times to play. In the almost four years of my governorship, I have delivered beyond expectations,” he said.
Highlighting his administration’s achievements, Adeleke listed the construction of about 350 kilometres of roads, three flyover bridges and six dualised roads.
He also cited the rehabilitation of more than 200 primary healthcare centres and 150 schools, the establishment of the University of Ilesa, the purchase of 31 tractors and the disbursement of nearly ₦2 billion in cooperative funds.
On political violence ahead of the election, Governor Adeleke accused the All Progressives Congress of sponsoring attacks against his supporters, alleging that seven members of his party had been killed while more than 20 sustained gunshot injuries.
He also alleged that over 60 Accord Party members were being held in what he described as illegal police detention.
The governor further accused the police of taking sides in the election and alleged that security personnel were being used to intimidate his supporters.
Governor Adeleke said he was concerned about the conduct of security agencies ahead of Saturday’s poll and alleged that there were reports of police involvement in plans to manipulate the election.
He said he had alerted President Bola Tinubu and the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, while demanding a free and fair election.
The governor urged security agencies, including the police, military, Department of State Services and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, to remain neutral and protect all political parties.
Adeleke also urged voters to remain peaceful, monitor the distribution of electoral materials, stay at polling units during counting and follow results to collation centres.
He appealed to Osun residents to re-elect him, saying his administration’s first term had delivered enough results to justify another term in office.