Adeleke will hand over to me, says Saliu

As political activities intensify ahead of the August 15, 2026 governorship election in Osun State, the candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Dr. Oyelami Saliu, has called for civility in the political space while expressing confidence in his chances of succeeding Governor Ademola Adeleke.

Speaking during the 10th edition of the Media Parley organized by the Osun Online Publishers Association (OOPA) in Osogbo, Saliu addressed recent discussions surrounding Governor Adeleke following the widely reported stage collapse incident.

The PRP candidate urged politicians and supporters to avoid bitterness and hostile rhetoric, emphasizing that political competition should never be accompanied by ill wishes.

“Adeleke will not die; he will be alive to hand over to me. Political contests should not be accompanied by ill wishes or hostility towards opponents,” Saliu stated.

As a medical practitioner, Saliu said his decision to contest the governorship election was driven by his desire to offer what he described as a fresh approach to governance in Osun State.

While acknowledging the efforts of the current administration, he maintained that more needs to be done to meet the expectations of residents across the state.

“The incumbent governor of Osun State has done his best. Clearly, it is time to change the current leadership. It is time for the PRP to take over the reins of governance in Osun State,” he said.

Saliu further argued that if he had been completely satisfied with the performance of the present administration, there would have been no reason for him to join the race.

“If Governor Adeleke was doing well enough, I would not be contesting against him,” he added.

The PRP flagbearer promised that his administration would build on beneficial projects already underway while introducing new initiatives aimed at improving governance and development across the state.

On the issue of airport projects currently under construction in Osun, Saliu pledged to conduct a thorough assessment before making any final decisions. According to him, projects would be prioritized based on feasibility, economic value, and their ability to contribute meaningfully to the state’s growth.

He concluded by expressing confidence that the PRP has the vision and capacity to move Osun State forward if given the opportunity to govern.