Senator Ademola Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke is the new Sheriff in town. Few hours ago, he took the oath of office and the highest executive power in the state is currently at his tips. He is simply the man with the red pen. If God wants, he will be in control of resources, people, witches and wizards of the state.
Adeleke was declared winner of the Osun gubernatorial election which took place on July 16, 2022 by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He defeated the incumbent governor of the state and candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adegboyega Oyetola with over 25,000 votes.
The gap between Oyetola and Adeleke is relatively minimal when compared to the difference in votes between Rauf Aregbesola and Iyiola Omisore in 2014. It is interesting to note that both performed incredibly well at the poll.
More than 800,000 people of Osun State stormed out of their respective homes, formed a queue inside hot sun to vote for their preferred candidate.
By counting of the electoral body – the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Senator Ademola Adeleke who is the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) polled th highest votes and was declared winner of the gubernatorial contest.
The inauguration and taking of oath by Senator Ademola Adeleke is no doubt the end of Oyetola’s tenure, a clear indication that power is transient and there is always an end to every beginning.
Truly, Oyetola lost the gubernatorial election and he should feel terrible, sad and helpless. I have no doubt that he is not happy about the outcome.
Oyetola is still shocked about the outcome but it is inarguable that he would surely leave the office one day regardless of the number of years or terms he served. Even kings and permanent secretaries do not stay in office forever.
As Senator Adeleke takes his oath of office, several arguments have been pushed forward by loyalists and apologists of Rauf Aregbesola and Adegboyega Oyetola over the loss the All Progressives Congress (APC) suffered at the poll. Some claimed that Oyetola is the main loser while others claimed that Aregbesola is the main loser.
The duo suffered losses following the emergence of Senator Ademola Adeleke as the Executive Governor of the state. One suffered loss of political power while the other suffered complete reversal of policies and identities credited to his two terms as governor.
By law, Oyetola can still contest subsequent election and if he won, he can complete his second term but Aregbesola can not become governor again. Aregbesola has served two terms which are permitted by the law. He can not initiate all reversed policies again.
Oyetola’s major losses are two which are; electoral loss and absence of political power. But Aregbesola’s loss goes beyond political power because he is the current Minister of Interior. He suffered loss of legacies. What is a legacy? It can be simply defined as purpose.
According to mobile dictionary, legacy is something which is a direct result of it and which continues to exist after it is over. George Washington left behind a legacy of strong leadership. Murad died in 1595, leaving to his successor a legacy of war and anarchy. Late Chief Obafemi Awolowo left behind a legacy of free and quality education.
Legacies are purpose-driven projects meant to be inherited. When Oyetola came on board, he reversed all educational policies Aregbesola initiated due to public outrage and clear agitations from old students’ associations.
From reversal of single uniform policy to reclassification of classrooms to alleged failed integrity test of Mega schools Aregbesola built while in office, Oyetola did not leave any new policy initiated by his former principal within the educational sector untouched. He set up review committee and implemented all recommendations of the committee.
One of the Aregbesola’s loyalists who is now a chieftain in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said he left the All Progressives Congress (APC) because Oyetola reversed these policies vindicatively. He added that Oyetola was Aregbesola’s ex-top staff and took part in those policies yet reversed them.
Governor Ademola Adeleke in his inaugural speech directed an immediate reversal to the constitutionally recognised name of our state, Osun State. He further added that all government insignia, correspondences and signages should henceforth reflect Osun state rather than State of Osun which is unknown to the Nigerian constitution.
Unconfirmed reports also claim that the Yoruba anthem which was introduced during Aregbesola’s tenure has been pushed aside too but as at the time of writing, this new development can not be ascertained.
O-YES, a youth empowerment scheme appears to be the only sustaining legacy of the Aregbesola’s administration aside the Bisi Akande Trumpent Road.
Recall that Rauf Aregbesola who became governor in November 27 after the Court of Appeal sacked Olagunsoye Oyinlola came on board with a lot of programmes and took time to implement them.
From Igi-Iye to Opon-Imo (Tablet of Knowledge) to Osuwon Omoluabi to Ayegbaju International Market to Dual Osogbo road fondly called ‘Ona Baba Ona’ to MKO Abiola Airport to Single uniform to Reclassification of classrooms to public water project among others. He introduced new logo, anthem and name for the state. He even changed the state’s slogan.
All these were projects Aregbesola initiated and did not survive the test of time. Most of these projects did not survive his second term in office. Oyetola reversed educational policies and Adeleke focused on anthem and state’s slogan, leaving Aregbesola’s eight years in office with one active legacy, O-YES.
As Senator Ademola Adeleke resumes office today, Monday as the Sixth Executive Governor of Osun State, who is the main loser between Rauf Aregbesola and Adegboyega Oyetola?
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