- Safiu Kehinde
Former Osun governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, and the state’s chapter of the Nigerian Labour Congress ( NLC) have endorsed incumbent governor, Ademola Adeleke, for second term.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the spokesperson to the governor, Mallam Olawale Rasheed.
According to the statement, Adeleke’s second term bid was endorsed by Oyinlola and the state’s labour force at the 2025 annual inter-religious prayer held today at the Government Secretariat.
Speaking at the event, Prince Oyinlola drummed support for Adeleke’s administration.
He prayed to God to continue to strengthen the Governor in his ongoing good performance.
The Okuku Prince repeated his earlier endorsement of the Governor while featuring on a Rave FM interview, telling the audience at the prayer session that “nobody changes a medication and medicine that is working.
“Mr Governor’s medicine is working for Osun people. And so he will continue for a second term”, the former Governor noted in Yoruba language.
On his part, the state Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Christopher Arapasopo openly endorsed Adeleke for second term amidst singing and dancing, citing his expensive attention to the needs of workers and pensioners.
Also endorsing Adeleke’s second term bid were Muslim and Islamic scholars led by the President of the League of Imams and Alfas in Osun state, Sheikh Musa Animasahun.
The religious leaders held that the governor was ordained by God for second term as they urged mass support for continuation of better life in Osun state.
In the same vein, the market women and men in the state led by the Iyaloja General of Osun state, Chief Oyebode Mary in her prayers for the state conveyed the endorsement of the Governor for second term, listing ease of doing business among other achievements.
Also present at the event was the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi who rounded up the prayer session with a special prayer of empowerment and approval of all the individual prayers by the clerics, workers and others.
According to the head of Yoruba Obas worldwide, the performance of the Governor is his best prayer, appreciating the Governor’s dedication to duty and his listening and consultative approach to state governance.
“Only a clean heart dances. Where they dance, good things happen. Great things are happening to Osun and we are all rejoicing”, the Onirisa declared.
Meanwhile, Governor Adeleke in his address to the audience pleaded never to abandon the path of God and the interest of the people, stressing that “our prayers were answered fully by Almighty God as at every moment of the way, our government puts God and the people as a point of take off and return.
“At the centre of state power is God and His divine will. That reality explains my consistent praise worship in private and public functions. Our dear God has blessed us in the last one year. We recorded a superlative performance which even our opponents cannot deny. There is the evident hand of God in state decisions. In critical situations, the divine guides us to the right choice.
“I therefore expressed the deep appreciation of our government to clerics and men of God at home and here with us. You are the agents of God in our midst. Since I assumed office, I can attest and assert that it has been God all the way.
“I stand before you today to declare that we will not abandon the path of God. We will continue to serve the people diligently and faithfully. Genuine service to the people is to us a strong way to worship God. We will continue to pursue pro- people policies and programmes. We will not abuse state power. Rather we will deploy instruments of state to develop the people and our dear state.
“I call on our religious and traditional rulers to be my agents among the people. Let the message go to the grassroots that this government is ever dedicated to serving the people. We will continue to work for the people and by the people.
“In 2025 and beyond, we will not be found wanting in service delivery. The state care for the young, the old, women, youth and children will continue on a strong note. I repeat again that soft infrastructure will top the state agenda alongside ongoing hard infrastructure upgrades across the state.
“We call on leaders of thought to rally round the administration in our efforts to enthrone good governance. This call flows from what all stakeholders can attest to. We have shown good faith as a government acting beyond partisan considerations. The best interest of Osun has continued to be our guiding principle. We need all hands to be on deck.
“I charge us all not to relent in prayers for successful state governance. On our part, we promise to continue to uphold basic tenets of democracy, due process and fear of God”, the Governor noted, declaring “as we have prayed, I know our good Lord has answered our prayers” Adeleke said