Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has made a strong declaration ahead of Saturday’s governorship election, highlighting his administration’s record on inherited debts while raising fresh concerns about the conduct of the electoral process.
Speaking ahead of the crucial poll, Adeleke said his administration had made significant progress in addressing financial obligations inherited from previous administrations.
The governor claimed that his government had paid more than ₦80 billion in inherited pension debt, describing the achievement as evidence of his administration’s commitment to addressing long-standing challenges affecting pensioners and public servants in the state.
Adeleke also said his administration had cleared more than two-thirds of the state’s inherited half-salary arrears.
The issue of unpaid salaries, pensions and half salaries has remained a major political issue in Osun, with Adeleke repeatedly pointing to the liabilities inherited by his administration after taking office in 2022. Recent reports have also quoted the governor as saying that his government has paid more than two-thirds of the outstanding half-salary debt.
Beyond his administration’s financial record, Adeleke also raised fresh allegations concerning the police ahead of the election.
The governor called for a free, fair and credible election, stressing the importance of allowing voters to exercise their constitutional rights without intimidation or interference.
His comments come at a critical moment as political parties and candidates intensify their campaigns ahead of the Osun governorship poll.
The election is expected to attract significant attention, with Adeleke seeking to defend his position while opposition candidates campaign to take control of the state.
Adeleke’s appeal for a peaceful and credible election comes amid wider concerns over political tensions and security during electoral contests in Nigeria. The governor has previously raised concerns about alleged political violence and the role of security agencies in the state’s political affairs.
As voters prepare to head to the polls, attention will now turn to the conduct of the election and whether the process will meet expectations for transparency, security and fairness.
The governor’s latest declaration also places his administration’s record at the centre of the political debate, particularly his claims concerning pension payments, half-salary arrears and other inherited financial obligations.
With the election approaching, Adeleke is urging voters and relevant authorities to ensure that the democratic process is protected and that the outcome reflects the genuine choice of the people of Osun State.
Further updates are expected as the governorship election approaches and political parties make their final appeals to voters.
Source: Thepressradio.com
