A former governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, has reportedly endorsed the incumbent Governor of the state, Ademola Adeleke, for a second term.
Apart from Oyinlola, others who threw their weight behind Adeleke during the 2025 annual inter-religious prayer held at the Government Secretariat, Abere, on Thursday are the President of the League of Imams and Alfas in Osun State, Sheikh Musa Animasahun; the workers union led by the state Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Christopher Abimbola Arapasopo; and market women and men led by the Iyaloja General of Osun State, Chief Oyebode Mary.
According to a statement by the spokesperson to the governor, Olawale Rasheed, the event, which was attended by top religious leaders, leading traditional rulers, and workers of the Osun state government, witnessed several cycles of prayers for the Governor, his team, and the entire state for delivery of good governance beyond 2026 to 2030.
The statement noted that Oyinlola, in his remarks, prayed to God to continue to strengthen the Governor in his ongoing good performance, drumming support for the administration.
“Mr Governor’s medicine is working for Osun people. And so he will continue for a second term”, the statement quoted the former Governor as saying in Yoruba language.
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The statement further noted that the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, rounded up the prayer session with a special prayer of empowerment and approval of all the individual prayers by the clerics, workers, and others, seeking divine protection and enablement for the Governor and his team.
Oba Ogunwusi was said to have lauded Adeleke for his performance in office 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 monarch was said to had declared.
In his address to the audience, the statement noted that Adeleke promised 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’s 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,” the statement concluded.
Olamilekan Adigun is a graduate of Mass Communication with years of experience in journalism embedded in uncovering human interest stories. He also prioritises accuracy and factual reportage of issues.
