I’ve forgiven all those who offended me – Adeleke

Following the unanimous Supreme Court verdict that reaffirmed his election, the Executive Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has stated that he has forgiven all those who might have offended him during his struggle to assume the leadership of the state.

Adeleke stated this while on a thank you visit to the Palace of Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olaonipekun (Larooye II) and Timi of Ede, Oba Munirudeen Adesola Lawal (Laminisa1), after the Supreme Court victory.

“I’m now a Governor for all. For those who didn’t vote for me, I have no grudges against them. That’s the beauty of democracy. I have forgiven all those that offended me in our quest to serve our people. Even though some went overboard, engaged in an overbearing attitude and were destructive towards the cause we believed in. All those have now been left behind. The victory God granted us has overwhelmed whatever anybody might have done to me in the past. The goal now is how to move Osun forward.”

The Governor further praised the two monarchs for playing a huge fatherly role in the governorship project, by standing as a pillar of support for him and his family.

Governor Adeleke assured the monarchs in their different palaces that he will not disappoint the trust the people have in him and will continue to strive to make Osun better than he met it with infrastructural development springing up across the state.

“They initially said most of the applaudable projects we embarked on when we started our administration was because of the 2023 general election, but interestingly, we’ve never stopped delivering on projects in the state so far.

“I want to assure our royal fathers and the good people of Osun that distraction is over. We will not disappoint you. We have the authority and power now, we will use it justly for the progress of this state and welfare of the people.”

Meanwhile, the two traditional rulers have affirmed their endorsement for the continuity of the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke beyond 2026.

In his remarks, the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olaonipekun, said given the sound footing Governor Adeleke had started his administration, it has given a clear signal of a departure from the past and a brilliant outcome of what to expect.

“You have started your administration brilliantly and I’m impressed with the steps you’re taking each day in the delivery of good governance for the people of our state. With my royal authority, I hereby endorse you for another term in office and a continuity of the government you’re heading in the state.”

In his separate remark, the Governor’s royal father, Laminisa of Ede, Oba Munirudeen Adesola Lawal, offered praises to God for the eventual victory of Governor Adeleke and extended the appreciation of Ede people to all Osun and national stakeholders for their strong backing for Governor Adeleke.

The royal father, who recalled the tough battle and enormous sacrifice of many loyalists and admirers of the Governor, said for 12 years he was blacklisted at the state level as a PDP traditional ruler, thanking God for the final outcome and giving all the glory and adoration to God.

He, however, pledged that he will constantly be reminding the Governor of the promises made to the people as he wants to be the father of a Governor that will spend eight years in office in delivery of good governance.

“There are seasons for everyone in life. This is summarily our time. We will deliver and meet the aspirations of Osun people while we assure others that their time will definitely come.

“I charge you to increase the tempo of the good works you’ve started because of diverse and huge expectations of people and I’m certain you will deliver because you have started well

“I want to be the father of a Governor for eight years of two consecutive uninterrupted terms. By this, I will continually be giving constant reminders of what to be done and what’s best for the people, that will ensure the reality of this. No matter the challenges, your government will succeed and your continuity in office is certain. You have my royal endorsement for your administration.”

The Royal father further appreciated and applauded Dr Deji Adeleke and Yeye Dupe Sani Adeleke, for being the catalyst for what is being celebrated across the state even as he commended the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Kazeem Akinleye, for playing a pivotal role in the victory and administration of the state.

The Governor was accompanied on the thank you tour by the Deputy Governor of the state, Prince Kola Adewusi; the Secretary to the State Government, Hon Teslim Igbalaye; and other top party and government officials.