Adeleke invites EU to monitor Osun gov poll

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has called on the European Union to take special interest in the forthcoming governorship poll in the state.

The governor made this known while receiving the Austrian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Peter Guschelbauer, at the Osun State Government House in Osogbo, the state capital.

In a statement signed by the spokesperson to the governor, Olawale Rasheed, obtained in Osogbo on Sunday, Adeleke further said that EU monitoring of the poll would strengthen compliance with the Electoral Act during the exercise.

“1 urge the European Union to take special interest in the forthcoming Osun State election.

The observer intervention of the European Union will strengthen compliance with democratic practices and the Electoral Act for a free and fair poll,” Adeleke said.

He added, “Our government remains committed to free and fair elections as well as creating an enabling environment for investors and development partners.”

Speaking on business investment, Adeleke said the state offered immense opportunities in agriculture, renewable energy, education, technology, mining and vocational development.

We are ready to work with your country and Austrian businesses in exploring these opportunities for mutual growth and prosperity,” the statement read.

Earlier, Guschelbauer said the EU was interested in the entrenchment of democratic practices through free and fair elections.

Guschelbauer further said the European Union hoped to see the Osun election conducted in compliance with Nigerian national electoral laws, especially as the election is a prelude to the 2027 general election.

The ambassador, who was accompanied by the embassy’s political adviser, commended the governor for instituting good governance and charged all political actors to play by the rules in the interest of sub-national stability and national prosperity.

While restating how dear Osun is to the Austrian state, the ambassador pointed at the deep cultural connection between the Austrian state and Osun Osogbo groove, promising that his country is interested in cultural preservation, tourism exchanges and deeper business partnership between Austrian companies and their Osun counterparts.

The reports that the electorate in the state will head to the polls on August 15 to elect a governor in an election that will have 14 political parties fielding candidates.