By Ayodele Oni
Osun State Governor and candidate of the Accord party, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has reiterated that his relationship with voters in the State and the performance of his administration qualify him for reelection on Saturday.
Aside this, Adeleke expressed confidence in emerging victorious in the election saying he would win the State’s governorship election even if he contested as an independent candidate without the backing of a political party.
Adeleke made the assertion during the Arise News Town Hall, ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State,
He said Nigeria’s electoral system currently requires candidates to contest under political parties, but expressed hope that the country would eventually allow independent candidacy.
“Assuming the way they do it in America, that you can come out and be an independent candidate. I’m looking towards that, that one day, Nigeria, our democracy will go to that.
“I can assure you, if we have an independent candidate who can come out, if I come out as an independent candidate, I will see a win.”
Adeleke maintained that his decision to leave the PDP was not motivated by disloyalty to the party, acknowledging its role in his political rise.
“I love PDP. PDP has given me the chance to become a senator and a governor,” he said.
However, he said persistent internal disagreements and uncertainty within the party forced him to reconsider his political future ahead of the governorship election.
“When I see that things are going bad, every day fighting, closing doors, I have to think twice.”
According to the governor, his move to the Accord Party followed consultations with political stakeholders and was not a decision he took alone.
He also dismissed claims that he left the PDP because he could not secure the party’s governorship ticket, arguing that the prolonged crisis within the party had created uncertainty over whether it could provide a viable platform for his re-election.
Adeleke said his administration’s performance would be more important to voters than political party affiliation.
He cited investments in infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture, education and security as evidence of his administration’s achievements.
The governor stated that his government had completed more than 350 kilometres of roads across Osun State, while another 160 kilometres were currently under construction.
He also revealed that about 200 healthcare centres had been rehabilitated since he assumed office.
Responding to allegations by the All Progressives Congress (APC) that some roads constructed by his administration were substandard, Adeleke rejected the claim.
He said qualified engineers had assessed and certified the projects. “Why would I come and do substandard? Are you a certified engineer? Are you an engineer?” he asked.
On security, Adeleke revealed that his administration had strengthened the Amotekun security outfit by recruiting more than 1,500 personnel for deployment across local government areas in the state.
The governor also denied allegations that he was responsible for the increased presence of security personnel in Osun ahead of the election.
“I did not militarise. I don’t have that capacity. I am not the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.”
He accused some political actors of using intimidation and federal influence ahead of the poll but called on his supporters to remain peaceful.
Despite the political contest surrounding the election and his defection from the PDP, Adeleke maintained that political parties would not ultimately determine the outcome of the poll. “It is the people,” he said.
The governor expressed confidence that Osun voters would make their choice based on the candidates and their records in office, rather than simply on the political platforms under which they contest.
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