Mr. Olumide Lawal, was former Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to late Senator Isiaka Adeleke. He spoke on the chances of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) candidate, Senator Ademola Adeleke, in the September 22, 2018 governorship election in Osun State.
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Excerpts:
What should we expect from Saturday’s gubernatorial election in Osun State?
September 22, 2018, is going to be a defining moment in the political history of Osun State. The governorship race will be lively, peaceful and very thrilling. So many political parties will engage in a show of strength as to who is capable of occupying the exalted Bola Ige House, the seat of government. Osun people are noted for rancor-free elections. This is expected to play out on Saturday.
How do you see the chances of Senator Ademola Adeleke of the PDP?
One of the gladiators, seeking the coveted office of the governor is Senator Nurudeen Ademola Adeleke on the platform of PDP. The leadership of PDP has fully strategized to win the governorship election peacefully, with Adeleke who is coming into the election unblemished, untainted, well focused and strengthened, after all the ‘political baptism of fire’ he has gone through in the last few months. He is undaunted and unrelenting in the pursuit of his goals of accelerated development for Osun State.
Adeleke is a testimony of goodness and patriotic service to humanity. He has left nobody in doubt, that he has learnt the political rope from his late brother, Senator Isiaka Adeleke. He is therefore, the best of the rest, jostling for the governorship seat.
To him, politics is selfless service to the people, particularly the lowly in the society. He is well prepared for the job. He has all that it takes to perform glowingly. It is an unassailable fact, that Adeleke candidacy enjoyed wide acceptability. The tumultuous welcome accorded him all across the state, points to the fact, that he is being eagerly awaited to serve them. This is an unbiased summation from the people of the state of living springs. They cannot wait further for Adeleke to mount the saddle.
As should be expected in a race like this, a lot of blackmail and name-callings are the order of the day. But Adeleke has taken it all with philosophical calmness. He is a respecter of traditional institution, and has resolved to strengthen the traditional institution and accord royal fathers their dues. According to his philosophy, the traditional rulers are foremost in the context of grassroots politics. Their roles would be enhanced under the administration of Adeleke.
Adeleke and his teeming supporters are coming to the election peacefully and with candor. Adeleke and the PDP are appealing to all those who will be involved in the election in whatever form, to do so with the fear of God and absolute peace, orderliness and maintenance and observance of the tenets of their various professional callings. They should provide enabling level playing ground for all candidates, so as to write their names in hall of fame. The wish of the voters should be allowed to prevail without let or hindrance. The voice of the people, which is the voice of God will manifest in favour of Adeleke.
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We commit the governorship ambition of Adeleke into God’s hand care as we have no power of our own. The PDP is for peace and prays for accelerated development of Osun, through a buoyant economy, that Adeleke government will throw up as from November 27, when he is inaugurated by God’s grace.
That is why he sees the election as a brotherly contest. Like the biblical David against the “political Goliaths” he puts his faith in God. And just as God gave overwhelming victory to David against Goliath, so shall it be for Adeleke on Saturday.
There was this assertion that Adeleke’s campaign is being sponsored by some business moguls, how true is this?
The fact is, Adeleke mentioned in one of his campaign outings, that the likes of Aliko Dangote, Femi Otedola and other investors would partake heavily in the development of the state in various ways. Why standing the truth on the head by some mischievous social media users?
He is a politician of repute from an enviable family that has immensely contributed to the socio-economic development of the state with empowerment projects spanning decades through the family non-governmental organization, the Springtime Development Foundation.
As governor, he will continue to improve on the healthcare delivery at the grassroots. The foundation has over the time years offered numerous free health services in all the nooks and crannies of the state.
What will Adeleke likely do differently if he wins?
The Adeleke dynasty of which he is the president, has offered scholarship awards to indigent students in addition to improving the condition of living of inmates of the Ile-Ife and Ilesa prisons with provision of mattresses, pillows, skill equipment and monetary gifts. Adeleke is offering the good people of Osun State, a government with human face, devoid of parochialism.
Adeleke is a man of his own, well grounded in the local politics of the state. The good are equally ready to identify with his brother, Isiaka Adeleke, even in death, by voting massively for Ademola as a payback for the good works and humanitarian gestures, Isiaka Adeleke offered them in his lifetime.
The government of Adeleke will be irrevocably committed to the promotion of rule of law, sanctity of the judiciary and judicious management of state resources for the upliftment of the people. Adeleke will submit himself to valuable advices, never arrogating monopoly of wisdom to himself. He will give fulfillment for youth’s aspiration and yearnings so as to make them self-reliant and resourceful.
How is Adeleke going to address the various interest groups and stakeholders in the state?
Adeleke is grateful to the people in the 30 local government areas and the area office in Modakeke-Ife, for their solid support and commitment to his cause. He promises not disappoint them in making life worth living through the provision of good roads, civil service with assured robust welfare package and regular payment of salaries; payment of pensions and gratuities shall also be accord top priority.
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This is in addition to the provision of regular portable water supply, functional educational system and improvement on skills acquisition for artisans.
He did not leave out okada riders, (ACOMORANS), market women, NURTW, the various students unions, professionals in various forms, the farmers and traders’ associations. To the Igbo community, Hausa, Fulani and Igede communities, Adeleke says a big thank you for your solidarity towards his governorship ambition.
When the Lord turned again the captivity of zion, we were like them that dreamt. For Adeleke, it is a goal, scored in a grand style, after an epic and protracted play against concerted forces of fate. This is Lord’s doing and it is marvelous in our eyes.