Infrastructure upgrade is a strong condition for the alleviation of rural and urban poverty, Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has declared.

He made the declaration on Thursday at Asaba, the Delta state capital, affirming that provision of hard Infrastructure facilitates economic growth, ease business processes and enhances livelihood of both rural and urban residents.

According to the Governor, good roads, updated health and school facilities as well as soft Infrastructures empower the citizens to engage in productive economic and social activities which enhances state capacity to lift the populace out of poverty.

“I rejoice with my brother, the Governor of Delta, Rt Honourable Sheriff Oborevwori, for the successful completion of this major bypass which promises to positively transform the economic lives of residents of Ibusa and Okpanah. I listened to the anticipated expectations of leaders from both towns. The residents expect this Infrastructure to uplift their lives and ease their burden in both transportation and business transactions.

“Dubai and Qatar among other Gulf nations achieved accelerated growth because of their upgraded infrastructure. That is why in Osun State, I launched out early enough with a 100 days infra programme and later with a multi-billion naira infra plan. Our government has turned Osun into a huge construction site the same way my brother in Delta is doing.

“I know of the great job the Delta Governor is doing in Warri and across the Senatorial districts. I am happy to be part of this historic event. We are Governors delivering hard and soft infrastructure for our people.

“I call on Deltans to reinforce their support for my brother. His performance within such a short period confirms the correctness of the popular choice of Deltans. We Governor’s cannot do it alone. We need the total support of our people”, the Governor posited.

Speaking at the event, the host Governor narrated the commitment of his administration to bridging the infra gaps and complete the greater Delta agenda he inherited from his predecessor.

According to the Governor, Delta is on the path of accelerated growth flowing from increasing actions on completion of old projects and commencement of new ones for the common benefits of all Deltans.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has declared as invalid the Peoples Democratic Party’s primary election that produced Asue Ighodalo as its governorship candidate.

The primary election conducted on February 22, 2024, was voided on the ground that 378 delegates who were supposed to vote at the primary election were unlawfully excluded by PDP.

Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo invalidated the primary election while delivering judgment in a suit instituted by the aggrieved delegates.

The suit marked THC/ABJ/CS/165/2024 was instituted by one Hon Kelvin Mohammed in a representative capacity.

Justice Ekwo held that both the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 and the PDP Guidelines were grossly violated in the conduct of the primary election at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium in Benin.

Governor Ademola Adeleke has warned transport workers in Osun State against actions and activities capable of plunging the state into violence and lawlessness.

The Governor has also directed the immediate suspension of the Senior Special Assistant on Civil Societies, Comrade Emmanuel Adebisi, pending outcome of investigations by the Chief of Staff to the State Governor, Hon Kazeem Akinleye.

In a statement issued by Mallam Olaeale Rasheed in Osogbo, Governor Adeleke directed the Commissioner for Transportation to again summon a reconciliatory meeting of all the warring groups within the transport sector.

“The officials and their members should desist from distracting Osun people from many ongoing laudable projects and delivery of good governance.

“This administration will not condone lawlessness and acts of violence. We must not and can not afford to return to the era of the previous administration. Our government has zero tolerance for violence.

“Any issue within the transport management should be resolved in line with due process. Internally Generated Revenue in Osun State is strictly regulated within a framework of accountability and transparency that can not be breached.

“Our government has automated revenue collection while integrating multiple revenue points into a single billing process. Our IGR has increased as a consequence of our innovations and zero tolerance for revenue leakages. Diversion of revenue is a thing of the past in Osun State.

“The Commissioner for Transportation is to engage the transport officials and reconcile all financial records. Any transport official who engages in violence will face the full wrath of the law,” the state Governor was quoted as saying.