I Paid Over N80bn Inherited Pension Debt, Delivered Beyond Expectations — Adeleke

Osun State governor and Accord Party governorship candidate, Ademola Adeleke, has said his administration has paid over N80 billion in inherited pension liabilities and cleared more than two-thirds of the half-salary arrears owed by the state.

Adeleke also said his administration had exceeded expectations in the areas of infrastructure, workers’ welfare, healthcare, education and agricultural development, as he presented his scorecard and outlined his plans for a second term.

The governor stated this on Tuesday at a town hall meeting organised by Arise TV for candidates contesting the August 15 Osun State governorship election.

Adeleke recalled that when he assumed office in 2022, the state was confronted with huge financial obligations that made it difficult to settle the accumulated pension and half-salary debts.

He said his commitment to workers’ welfare remained one of the major achievements of his administration.

“I’m proud of all I have achieved in the last four years. But specifically, I am happy about workers’ welfare. We did a lot to redeem our pensioners and workers in Osun State.

“I’m truly happy about how we addressed the problems and challenges facing Osun public workers. The pensioners, senior citizens, are happy with me. The workers love me. The first job of a government is the welfare of the people. I fulfilled that responsibility.

“It was not possible to pay the accumulated half-salary and pension debts, but I’ve shown the world that if there is political will, difficult issues can be resolved.

“Our government has paid over two-thirds of the half-salary debt. We have paid over N80 billion of inherited pension debt. We have reformed the public service. I’ve also implemented several measures for workers’ welfare. Osun workers appreciate it. They’ve endorsed me for re-election,” Adeleke affirmed.

The governor, who won the 2022 Osun governorship election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, explained his decision to leave the party and contest the forthcoming election on the platform of the Accord Party.

Adeleke said the crisis within the PDP made it difficult for him to remain in the party, stressing that he still had strong affection for the opposition party.

“I left the PDP to join Accord because of the crisis in the PDP then. I love PDP so much, and it was difficult to leave. I would have run as an independent candidate in this election if it were allowed in Nigeria,” he said.

Highlighting the achievements of his administration, Adeleke said his government had constructed and rehabilitated roads, improved healthcare facilities and schools, established a university and supported farmers and cooperative societies.

“Before talking about the next tenure, let me list what I have achieved so far: 350 kilometres of roads, three flyover bridges, six dualised roads, rehabilitation of over 200 primary healthcare centres, rehabilitation of 150 schools, the establishment of the University of Ilesa, the purchase of 31 new tractors, disbursement of almost N2 billion in cooperative funds, among many others.”

The governor also accused the Nigeria Police Force of allegedly taking a partisan position ahead of the August 15 election.

He said he had raised concerns with President Bola Tinubu and the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, while calling for adequate security to ensure a peaceful and credible election.

“I’m not comfortable with the partisan posture of the police in particular. I have raised the alarm on several occasions. The police authorities seem to have turned a deaf ear.

“On a daily basis, the police are arresting my members. Yesterday alone, four Accord leaders were again arrested. I’ve lost seven members of my party, with over 20 suffering various gun injuries. Over 60 Accord members are in various illegal police detention.

“I now have new reports even suggesting police direct involvement in rigging the election on Saturday. I have alerted Mr President and the Inspector-General of Police. The job of the police is to provide security, not to interfere in the electoral process. I am asking for a free and fair election. Nothing more,” he said.

Adeleke urged residents of Osun State to reject violence and work towards ensuring a peaceful and credible election.

Speaking on the recent account freeze by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, the governor said he appreciated the intervention of President Tinubu and maintained that he had been assured of a level playing field ahead of the election.

He said, “I’m not worried that I’m contesting against a party that has 34 governors; I’m a bulldozer. If they like, they should bring all their governors; they are all my friends. They are not the ones to come and vote here; they can only support their party.”

Adeleke said he remained confident of victory while calling on security agencies and other stakeholders to ensure that the August 15 election was free, fair and peaceful.