Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has enumerated roles of religious institutions in a democratic set up saying they should always speak truth to power, stressing the importance of constructive engagement with political leaders.
Adeleke maintained that “silence by the church and clerics generally is not an option,” adding that, “clerics must speak loud about free and fair elections, dignity of all human beings, superiority of public good over private interests, respect for the supremacy of the constitution, observance of the rule of law and equality of all citizens before the law.
A statement by the governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed stated that the governor gave the urge while delivering a lecture at the 7th memorial anniversary lecture in honour of the founder of Cherubim and Seraphim Church, St Moses Orimolade in Lagos State.
“As a sitting governor, I firmly believe the clerics should mount advocacy on what impedes good governance namely autocracy, dictatorship, arbitrariness, culture of impunity, self-perpetuation in office, suppression of opposition, corruption and failure to respond to aspirations of the people.
“Only a divinely guided leader can deliver on good governance, restore public faith in politics, avoid self-enrichment, resolve societal poverty, and observe the rule of law.”
Meanwhile, the governor has urged critics of his administration to accept the new dawn of good governance in Osun state
According to him, the critics are being jealous and envious of his superlative delivery and performance in the last 23 months.
According to the governor, his administration made it a point of duty to deliver on big and small service issues confronting the people of the state across the sectors, explaining that the approach combines thinking big and small at the same time in the best interest of the people.
“We are faithful to the people and our governance agenda, hence our deliveries on infrastructure, health, digital economy, agriculture, commerce and industry, climate change, education, sports and workers welfare among others. We got so much done by God and the people.
“To my critics, I empathize and sympathize with them. When somebody succeeds where you fail, you are likely to be envious and even bitter.
“That is human nature. But I encourage them to place public interest above private agenda. As for me, I have no option than to succeed.”
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