By Marvellous Nyang
Senator Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was, on Sunday, November 27, 2022, sworn in as the sixth Governor of State.
In the colourful celebration, Adeleke arrived in a white attire with a green and white cap, symbolising Nigeria’s flag, to a rousing cheer from the audience who gathered to witness the swearing-in ceremony.
Standing alongside his wife, he swore to the Oath and Allegiance of Office administered by the state Chief Judge, Justice Adepele Ojo, at around 11.47 a.m. at Osogbo City Stadium, the venue of the ceremony.
Earlier before him, the state deputy governor, Kola Adewusi, had sworn to the Oath and Allegiance of Office administered on him by the Chief Judge at 11.36 a.m.
In his address to the people of Osun after his official assumption of duty, Governor Adeleke announced the immediate freezing of all the state government accounts in the banks and other financial institutions.
He also ordered an immediate return to the status quo of all fresh appointments, placements and other major decisions taken by the immediate past administration with effect from July 17.
Adeleke also announced that there would be the establishment of a panel to carry out an inventory and recovery of all the government assets.
The governor ordered an immediate reversal to the constitutionally recognised name of the state as Osun State from its former “State of Osun.”
According to him, all government insignia, correspondences and signages should henceforth reflect Osun State, rather than the State of Osun, which is unknown to the Nigerian Constitution.
PDP's Sen. Ademola Adeleke, who is now officially sworn in as the 6th governor of Osun State, in a warm embrace with his party's presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, during the public event held in Osogbo, the state capital. 🎊 pic.twitter.com/DYeUsV20we
— The Daily Leaks (@TheDailyLeaks) November 27, 2022
“Under my watch as the Governor of Osun State, I will boldly correct all past injustice, corrupt acts or policies by any previous administration, which are against the collective interest of our people,” Adeleke said, adding that all the directives would be backed up with appropriate executive orders.
The governor said he was aware of his responsibility as the Governor as the Chief Security Officer of the state, which entails meeting the legitimate expectations of the people, and promised that all the expectations would be met.
He said his administration would also demonstrate a high sense of urgency, transparency, justice and innovation to tackle and solve the problems of poverty, illiteracy, disease and poor infrastructure.
“I know that as a product of the collective will of my people, there is a heavy weight of history on my shoulders, and, I accept the urgency of your expectations, the depth of your aspirations and your conviction in me to build a better state,” he said.
Adeleke, also said that all policies that were not favourable to the growth of effective local government administration would be reviewed following the law.
He assured the labour unions in the state of his administration’s willingness to protect workers’ interests and promote their welfare at all times, saying that he would be labour friendly.
The governor frowned at what he described as mass employment by the immediate past administration without financial backing.
Adeleke pleaded with the workers to give him a few weeks to review and sort out all the actions and malicious confusions which the immediate past administration had created since July 17.
The governor also promised to fulfil his campaign agenda, including the welfare of workers and pensioners; boosting the state’s economy, home-grown infrastructure policy; people-focused policy on education, affordable healthcare, security and social welfare and agro-based industrialisation for wealth and job creation.
“I hereby extend a strong hand of fellowship to the other arms of governments, the Legislature and the Judiciary.
“As a former lawmaker and a graduate of Criminal Justice, I appreciate the importance of collaboration among the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary.
“I call on all political parties to unite in the best interest of the state. Election is over. Now is the time for governance. We are open to fresh ideas in line with our manifesto.
“For the purpose of emphasis, I will be a Governor for all Osun people, regardless of differences in languages, faith, political affiliations or any other considerations,” he said.
Dignitaries at the inauguration included Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo; Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom; Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta; Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto and Douye Diri of Bayelsa.
Others were PDP Presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, and his wife Titi; PDP National Chairman, Iyiorcha Ayu; former Senate President, Olusola Saraki; Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; former Ekiti Governor, Ayodele Fayose; Tony Elumelu; David Adeleke, aka Davido, among others.
