Adeleke’s peace move sees the Osun governor reach out to former governors as he pushes reconciliation and unity on the state’s 35th anniversary
OSOGBO, August 28, 2026: Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has reached out to former governors Bisi Akande, Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Rauf Aregbesola as part of renewed efforts to promote political reconciliation and unity in the state.
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Adeleke made the contacts as Osun marked its 35th anniversary, using the occasion to renew his appeal for political leaders and former contestants to put the divisions surrounding the last governorship election behind them.
The governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, said in a statement on Friday that Adeleke discussed his reconciliation efforts with Akande, a former governor of Osun and former national chairman of the All Progressives Congress.
According to the statement, Adeleke briefed Akande on his peace initiatives and urged political leaders to support a post-election reconciliation agenda.
The governor also spoke with former governors Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Rauf Aregbesola, explaining his desire to bring political groups together while congratulating the former leaders on the 35th anniversary of the state’s creation.
Adeleke also attempted to reach former governor Gboyega Oyetola and the APC governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, by telephone.
The statement said neither Oyetola nor Oyebamiji had responded to the calls at the time of the report.
Explaining the reason for the outreach, Adeleke said the anniversary provided an opportunity to acknowledge the contributions of leaders from different political backgrounds while opening a new conversation about peace.
“We are celebrating the 35th anniversary of the creation of our dear state. So, it is customary that I felicitate with leaders from various groups,” Adeleke said.
He added that his central message was reconciliation after the election.
“My central message is to preach and act for peace and reconciliation. I repeated my earlier statement that there is no victor, no vanquished. Election has come and gone, and it is time for us to return to governance and healing of electoral wounds,” the governor said.
The governor’s latest Adeleke Peace Move comes against the backdrop of political tensions surrounding the state’s recent election and reported incidents of violence before and during the electoral process.
Adeleke said he was mindful of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s appeal for him to promote peacebuilding and reconciliation in Osun.
“That is my preoccupation as reflected in my state address, and that is my appeal to my predecessors and even my fellow contestants in the last guber election,” he said.
The governor argued that political differences should not prevent the people of Osun from benefiting from democratic governance.
“We must unite our people and prepare an enabling environment for them to enjoy the dividends of democracy and continuous delivery of good governance,” Adeleke said.
He also pledged to continue his reconciliation efforts alongside his administration’s development agenda.
“I will not stop in my peace drive to sustain development. This is a sacred task I am passionately committed to,” the governor said.
The reconciliation effort has also extended beyond political discussions to support for people affected by election-related violence.
The Osun State Election Violence Relief Committee, chaired by House of Assembly Speaker Adewale Egbedun, has called on victims of election-related violence to submit their cases for consideration.
Egbedun made the appeal during the committee’s maiden meeting, according to a statement signed by his press secretary, Olamide Tiamiyu.
The speaker described the assignment as both humanitarian and sensitive, stressing the need for the committee to listen to victims, verify legitimate claims and ensure appropriate relief reaches people who suffered losses.
The relief initiative adds another dimension to the state’s broader reconciliation effort.
While political leaders are being encouraged to rebuild relationships after the election, the committee is expected to address some of the consequences faced by residents caught up in election-related violence.
For Adeleke, the challenge now is turning calls for unity into sustained political engagement.
The governor’s decision to contact former political leaders from different camps signals an attempt to lower the temperature after a fiercely contested electoral period.
Whether the outreach produces a wider political consensus remains to be seen, particularly with some of the key figures yet to respond.
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But as Osun marks 35 years since its creation, Adeleke is presenting reconciliation as an essential part of the state’s next chapter, arguing that political competition should give way to cooperation once the votes have been counted.
