Adeleke committed to sustaining peace in Osun – Spokesperson

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo

The Osun State Government has dismissed claims by the All Progressives Congress (APC) that Governor Ademola Adeleke is plotting to disrupt peace in the state.

In a statement on Monday, the governor’s spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, emphasized that Adeleke has been working tirelessly to maintain peace despite alleged plots by the opposition.

Rasheed described the APC’s allegations that some top government officials were importing thugs as “libelous, defamatory, and baseless.”

He also clarified that Governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State visited Osun on a solidarity peace mission, urging all parties to abide by the rule of law and avoid self-help.

“From the beginning of the face-off, Governor Adeleke, being a security expert and criminologist, has deployed his conflict resolution skills to sustain peace despite provocations.

“A security assessment of the state revealed that the APC was intent on creating chaos and destabilizing the elected political structures. The governor, however, denied the APC any opportunity to execute its plans.

“The result is the peace we enjoy today in Osun. Residents are going about their lives peacefully, while the APC, having failed in its plans, has resorted to blackmail and false accusations,” Rasheed stated.

He reiterated that neither the visiting governors nor the Chief of Staff imported hoodlums into the state.

“Governors Seyi Makinde and Bala Mohammed came to Osun on a solidarity peace mission in line with their roles in the Governors’ Forum. Their message was clear: all parties should abide by the rule of law and avoid illegal actions,” he added.

Rasheed further highlighted that Governor Adeleke’s directive for PDP members to stay away from local government secretariats and avoid retaliatory attacks has helped maintain order.

“The Peoples Democratic Party lost five members on Monday, while about 85 others sustained gunshot and machete injuries. In response, the governor instructed PDP members to steer clear of local government secretariats and avoid any form of retaliation.

“He reiterated this directive during the swearing-in of newly elected local government officials. Governor Adeleke remains a peace-loving leader with the full backing of Osun people to continue delivering good governance,” he said.