Farmers Endorse Adeleke For Second Term, Pledge Massive Votes In August 15 Election

Several farmers’ groups in Osun State have endorsed Governor Ademola Adeleke for a second term in office, describing him as a “farmers-friendly” governor.

The farmers, numbering several hundreds, converged on the open field of the Government House to express their support for the governor ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

They commended Adeleke’s administration for what they described as pro-farmer policies, including the purchase of new tractors, completion of the Farmers’ Secretariat, distribution of agricultural inputs, and provision of thousands of cocoa, cashew and palm oil seedlings.

Speaking on behalf of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) in Osun State, Moshood Adepoju said farmers in the state had “never had it so good,” alleging that the previous administration under the All Progressives Congress (APC) neglected the sector.

Adepoju also alleged that some farmers’ leaders were arrested in an attempt to compel the association to work against Governor Adeleke.

He said, “We endorse Mr Governor for re-election because he did well for Osun farmers. We were neglected for years under APC. Governor Adeleke came and changed our fortunes for the better.

“We were arrested but we insisted on standing by Mr Governor. Farmers will come out and vote massively for the governor’s second term. We compare the records of previous governors. The Accord candidate is our man within the farmers’ movement.”

The Osun State Chairman of the Butchers Association, Alhaji Amoo Afeez, also declared the support of his members for Adeleke’s second-term bid, citing what he described as the governor’s achievements across various sectors.

Speaking in Yoruba, Afeez said Adeleke had positively transformed the state, adding that the people of Osun would reciprocate his efforts by re-electing him.

The Osun Women in Agriculture also endorsed the governor, while the Chairman of the Osun Produce Association, Alhaji Owoade Obe, said his association believes continuity in governance is in the best interest of the state.

“Good things are currently happening to us in Osun State. We want it to continue. Osun people are enjoying Adeleke. So our position is four plus four for the governor,” Obe said.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Tola Faseru, briefed the governor on the purpose of the gathering, saying the event was organised at the request of the various farmers’ associations to appreciate the administration’s efforts in the agricultural sector.

“Our farmers are here today to show appreciation that one good turn deserves another. They insisted on having this event because they see the governor as a leader who has shown deep commitment to expanding opportunities for farmers,” Faseru said.

The farmers subsequently moved a motion endorsing Governor Adeleke for a second term, which was unanimously approved by those in attendance.

Responding to the endorsement, Adeleke appreciated the farmers for their show of support and promised to do more if re-elected.

“I am happy that our deliveries in the agriculture sector are recognised by our dear farmers. This will encourage me to do more. We will get more machinery and farm inputs as well as processing factories in our second term,” the governor said.