Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has charged his supporters and members of the Accord Party to remain resolute and courageous ahead of the August Governorship Election.
Adeleke gave the charge while addressing the supporters at the kick-off of his re-election campaign at the Freedom Park in Osogbo on Tuesday.
Following the party’s affirmation of his candidacy, Adeleke, in his acceptance speech, commended the mammoth crowd of supporters and party members for defying what it labelled anti-democratic elements to attend the flag-off.
The governor reaffirmed that the party will be on the ballot box as he talked down the Abuja Federal High Court ruling ordering the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the party.
He reiterated that the party remains fully registered as he charged the party members to go out and mobilise others ahead of the election.
“You have come out to the freedom park; you defy anti- democratic elements. I congratulate you all for this massive show of love for me, our government and our party.
“Let me start by assuring you all – Accord will be on the ballot; your votes will count; and I will be re-elected as your governor on August 15th.
“All lawful means are being deployed to sustain and retain our rights to vote and be voted for.
‘We will not bow to dark forces; we remain courageous and we shall again be victorious by the special grace of God. I charge you to hold your head high.
“There should be no dull moment. From this assembly for democracy, the light of good governance must continue to spread to all corners of Osun state.
“Go out to all voting units, mobilise for the Accord. Our party remains a duly registered political party in this country. Rule of law must prevail.” Adeleke said.
The governor further congratulated the state over the recent court ruling which affirmed the removal of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Council Chairmen.
According to reports, a Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo had in its latest hearing affirmed the dismissal of the Osun APC council chairman- a ruling which the party’s leadership vowed to challenge before the Appeal Court.
The ruling would be confirmed by the Adeleke’s Campaign Director-General, Sen. Kamorudeen Olalere Oyewumi, while speaking earlier at the kick-off of the governor’s re-election campaign.
“On the local government, the court has ruled against every yes or no council chairman” Oyewumi had announced to the party members during the event.
While congratulating the party over the development, Adeleke reiterated his call for the removal of security personnel attached to the dismissed Osun APC chairmen by state’s Commissioner of Police.
He also called on the United Bank of Africa (UBA) to end what he described as an unholy alliance with the sacked chairmen in respect to the local councils fund.
“Democracy must survive. I congratulate Osun people on the victory over the local government issue. I commend the patience of our authentic chairmen and councillors.
“We have deployed democratic tools to flush out impostors in our council secretariats.
“I hereby repeat my directive to the Commissioner of Police to stop forthwith his protection for the illegal occupation of our council secretariats.
“I also call on the United Bank for Africa to end its unholy alliance with court sacked APC council chairmen. I demand that our diverted council fund must be fully accounted for by the bank and the sacked chairmen.” He said.
Adeleke thereafter highlighted his administration’s accomplishments over the last four years which, according to him include settlement of inherited debts, rehabilitation and construction of public infrastructures, and enforcement of budget transparency amongst others.
These according to him, were further validated by several recognitions and awards.
“Our government is paying off inherited half salary debt; cancelling pension debt; upgrading our towns; rehabilitating our schools; attending to the health sector; developing a new stadium; implementing mechanisation of farming; reforming our water sector; developing Osun digital economy; enforcing budget transparency; executing local content; and acting to contain climate change.
“Our commendable performance is validated by several recognitions and awards from federal and national organisations.
“Permit me to cite some examples as follows: Osun moved to 7th position in NECO ranking for 2024 and 2025 from number 33rd in 2022.
“Our state won the primary health care challenge for both 2024 and 2025, coming first in South West with a price of $500,000 dollars in both years.
“Osun Moved from 14th position in 2022 to 4th position in 2025 in access to clean/drinking water.
“Osun was recently rated 7th in term of efficiency of public hospitals.
“We reduce Osun debt stock by over 40 percent according to the National Debt Management Office.
“Osun recorded 100 percent in BudgIT Fiscal Transparency Recognition for 2025” He said.
The governor expressed his gratitude to several associations and groups who endorsed his re-election bid at the campaign kick-off.
He also welcomed political leaders who recently defected to the party.
“Great members of the Accord, I have watched and listened to the many associations and groups that have endorsed my re-election today.
“I also welcome leaders and members of various groups that defected to Accord. I am indeed overwhelmed with joy and happiness. You listed our sterling performance since 2022 as reasons for endorsing me and defecting into Accord.
“I am grateful for the confidence you reposed in me. To our new members, I assure you of equal opportunities. To the sectoral associations, I remain committed to delivery of good governance.
“I must specifically express gratitude to the Osun labour movement, the pension groups, the technicians, the cooperative movement, religious bodies, market associations, the farmers, our women, great Nigerian youth and patriotic student bodies.
“Your open support for my re-election empowers us as we march to victory on August 15th. Elders and youths of Osun state, in almost four years of my governorship, I have diligently delivered on my electoral promises.
“I have been faithful to the delivery of good governance in our dear state.” He added.