Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has denied reports from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) that it helped him win re-election in Osun State.
The governor declared that he had no electoral deal or partnership with the ADC before, during, or after the governorship election.
The National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, Bolaji Abdullahi, had said the party deliberately worked with the Accord Party during the August 15 Osun State governorship election to prevent the All Progressives Congress (APC) from reclaiming power in the state.
Featuring on Trust TV on Monday, Abdullahi said the party anticipated that a strong performance by multiple opposition candidates could split the anti-APC votes and create an opportunity for the APC to win, hence the decision of the ADC to team up with the Accord Party to defeat the APC.
But Governor Adeleke, in a statement made available by his spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, credited God and the people of Osun State for his re-election, saying the ADC was never part of the rainbow coalition that canvassed and supported his bid in last Saturday’s election.
Adeleke, who admitted collaboration with some political partners who sacrificed to make the aspirations of the people of Osun a reality, insisted that the ADC was never part of the alliance.
“I commend political partners who went all out to make Saturday a victory day for all Osun people. But we must clarify, for the sake of history, that ADC was never part of the alliance.
“Now that the election is over, I am a governor of all Osun people, irrespective of political groups, religion, or race,” the governor was quoted as saying.
Meanwhile, the candidate of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) in the just-concluded governorship election in Osun State, Engr. John Adesuyi, has called for inclusive governance for greater performance.
In a statement he personally signed on Tuesday, Adesuyi, while congratulating Governor Ademola Adeleke on his victory at the poll, said the task of building Osun must now take precedence over political differences.
He said the ZLP presented several people-oriented programmes in its manifesto that could complement the present administration’s efforts.
According to him, “The election is over, and the task of building a better Osun State must now take precedence over political differences. Osun State belongs to all of us. The success of the state should therefore be a collective responsibility.”
Adesuyi specifically offered cooperation in implementing the party’s proposed 50,000 employment opportunities through the Agricultural Value Chain, as well as planned infrastructural interventions and other development initiatives.
He added that his party was ready to contribute ideas, expertise, and support wherever they could help make Osun State better.
Adesuyi noted that governance now requires a renewed responsibility to all the people of Osun State, irrespective of political affiliation.
