By Sunday Oguntuyi, Osogbo
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on Monday took his re-election campaign to the Ayedire/Iwo/Ola-Oluwa Federal Constituency, where he stressed the need for continuity in governance as a foundation for sustainable development and democracy.
During the campaign visit, the governor unveiled plans aimed at accelerating rural development under the second pillar of his administration’s five-point agenda, which focuses on infrastructure expansion and shared prosperity.
Addressing residents and traditional rulers in Ayedire and Ola-Oluwa local government areas, including at Ikire-Ile and Ile-Ogbo, Adeleke assured the people that his administration would sustain the reconstruction and rehabilitation of critical road infrastructure across the constituency.
“I assure our royal fathers and the good people of these communities that we will continue to upgrade road infrastructure. We have already flagged off the Telemu-Ilemowu-Ogbagba Road project, while other internal roads are captured under our expanded rural development agenda,” he said.
“You have seen what we have done in Iwo and several other parts of the state. If re-elected, we will do even more for our people. Our five-point agenda is designed to deliver meaningful development to every town and village across Osun State.”
The campaign rally also witnessed the defection of hundreds of members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Accord Party. The defectors were led by a former APC Vice Chairman in Ola-Oluwa Local Government, Hon. Dauda Lawal, popularly known as Ọmọ Ẹkùn, and former member of the Osun State House of Assembly, Hon. Amos Akindiya.
The new entrants attributed their decision to Governor Adeleke’s infrastructure projects, people-centred policies and what they described as the administration’s visible impact on both rural and urban communities.
Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Lawal said the governor’s commitment to fulfilling campaign promises and improving the welfare of residents convinced them to leave the APC.
He also noted that workers and pensioners owed half salaries by the previous administration were now receiving payments under Adeleke’s government, adding that even the APC governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, was among beneficiaries of the ongoing payment programme.
Traditional rulers across the constituency commended the governor for his performance in office and used the opportunity to present the developmental needs of their communities.
The Akire of Ikire-Ile, Oba Azeez Olatunbosun, who spoke on behalf of traditional rulers in Ola-Oluwa, and the Olu of Ile-Ogbo, Oba Abeeb Adetoyese Agbaje, representing monarchs in Ayedire, praised Adeleke for what they described as his commitment to the development of the state.
The monarchs offered prayers for the governor and expressed support for his re-election bid.