Adeleke: We Succeeded Where Opponents Didn’t Give Us Chance

•Osun gov’ll secure second term, Oluwo of Iwo declares

Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, yesterday, attributed the achievements of his administration in 2023 to divine guidance, saying his government succeeded, where the opposition never gave him a chance.

This was as the paramount ruler of Iwoland, Oba (Dr) Adewale Akanbi, has declared that Adeleke would be reelected for a second term in office.

The traditional ruler made this statement at the inter-religious service held at the state secretariat to usher in the government and the state into the new year.

Adeleke said this in his remarks at the inter-religion service held at the state secretariat to usher in the government and the people into the new year.

The governor, who acknowledged the hand of God Almighty in overcoming challenges in the early days of his administration, said he “directly experienced divine guidance in making state decisions,” which counted for the remarkable successes attained so far.

“My dear people of faith, I have personal confessions to make. In the last one year, I directly experienced divine guidance in making state decisions.

“On several occasions, God almighty was my instructor in deciding on key issues. When I told you I govern with the fear of God, it is not a joke. Our leadership is a product of divine plan and manifestation.

“The signs are everywhere even for our political opponents to see. I will share some of the examples for you all. When I assumed the governorship of our dear state, many serious problems existed. Such issues appeared to have defied all solutions.

“My predecessor deliberately added petrol to the fire by laying several bobby traps before he left office. Nobody expects solutions from us. The thoughts of detractors was the expectation of failure.

“But because we have a God, who does not fail his beloved ones, doors opened where none existed. The governance space witnessed policy innovations and implementation, which provided answers to knotty state policy questions.

“Because we have a God who props up his favoured and chosen ones, our government successfully reset the button of the state public service, frontally addressed workers’ welfare, put a smile on the faces of pensioners, restored local governance, implemented infra agenda and set the tone for sustainable governance.

“Through God and people of goodwill, we succeeded where opponents never gave us a chance. We broke the jinx in critical areas and proved that Osun people could experience good governance despite all odds.

“Our government has manifested what many denied – that a God-led administration is a condition for successful leadership in state governance,”  he said.

The Oluwo of Iwoland, in his remark, said, “We appreciate the governor for the commendable job being done in the state. They’re all applaudable.

“Governor Adeleke is the driver of the Osun government, and by this, it is imperative for everyone regardless of political divides in the state to continue to support the administration to succeed.

“Governor Ademola Adeleke, I’m declaring on behalf of other traditional rulers in the state that we’re fully in support of your government and its continuation for a second term in office.”

The monarch thereafter pleaded for better welfare for the traditional institution in the state even while acknowledging that the governor had been doing his best for the institution so far.