Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has congratulated the Muslim faithful in the state and beyond on the occasion of the Eid-il-Kabir celebration, urging them to imbibe the spirit of sacrifice that defines the festive period.

According to a government house statement, Gov Adeleke recognizes the significance of the festival as a reminder of the unfailing grace of Almighty Allah on humanity, noting that the occasion underscores the reward of obedience and faith in Allah subhanawattahallah.

He charged the Muslim faithful to take a cue from Prophet Ibrahim’s (ASW) act of selflessness and submissive posture, called on Muslim faithfuls to use the occasion to renew bonds and build a safe and healthy society.

“I congratulate every Muslim on this significant Islamic festival and ask that we rededicate ourselves to upholding the essence of the occasion, which underscores sacrifice and faith in Allah,” he noted.

“Let us use this period to uphold the spiritual benefit of the celebration by sharing love and togetherness across all divides, while not forgetting to seek the face of Allah for continuous peace and progress of Osun state and Nigeria as a whole.

“As a government, we are taking the lead on sacrifice in order to bring about a better situation for the people as exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim (ASW), and I urge the people to exercise this same attitude so as to achieve a better condition in the social, economic, and political landscape of not just Osun state but also Nigeria.

“I call for sustained support and prayer for our administration in our drive to transform Osun and make it the envy of other places not just in Nigeria, but across Africa.”

Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani has declared that he reached a decision with his deputy and the state’s executive council to be taking half salary when it dawned on them that more than 60 percent of the populace were living below the poverty line.

A comprehensive review of the allowances of the political office holders also revealed that “it is too much”, Senator Sani added.

Biztellers reports that no political office holder or appointee is using a brand new car in Kaduna State, even the governor uses his personal cars.

In another vital reason, the governor noted was that they had to take the collective decision “cut the cost of governance in Kaduna State”.

These, Senator Sani maintained are the reasons why his administration is able to be delivering some impactful projects for which the people are surprised, and pleasantly so.

In his words, “When we came in, we sat down with them and said look, charity begins at home. We have to cut the cost of governance in Kaduna state. We are running a state where at least 60% of the population are living below the poverty line.

“I said to the Deputy Governor can we reduce this allowances because it is too much, they all agreed collectively even myself, they need to cut my salary into two, so today I’m receiving half of my salary since I became governor of Kaduna State.

“Commissioners, Advisers, Senior Special Assistance since we came in we removed their performance allowances, when you put this money together that is why people are surprise we are doing some works, because you have to cut the cost of governance.

“And today no commissioner not even Deputy Governor is using a new car in Kaduna state, I told them the cars we inherited from the previous commissioners let’s use it. Today, I’m using my personal cars as a governor and that’s what we have been doing it is not magic, it is cutting cost of governance.”

Osun State Governor State, Senator Ademola Adeleke has identified free and fair elections as the best way to honour the memory of the acclaimed winner of the June 12 Presidential election, Bashorun MKO Abiola and other democratic heroes.

Describing free and fair elections as the lifeline of any virile democracy, Gov Adeleke acknowledged the sacrifices and struggles that paved the way for the civil rule being currently enjoyed in Nigeria in a statement to commemorate Democracy Day.

He called on politicians in the country to submit themselves to upholding the tenets of democracy by respecting the will of the people.

According to the governor, the political class must recommit to strengthen the country’s electoral system to deliver credible elections and ensure that the will of the people is not subverted.

Calling election rigging an act of war, Gov Adeleke said, “our best homage to our democratic heroes is our continued upholding the basic tenets of democracy. Such include free and fair elections and observance of rule of law.

“We cannot at one hand celebrate democracy day and on the other hand undermine the democratic machine. You cannot be applauding the great memories of the late Bashorun Abiola and at the same time be working against free and fair elections.

“I call on leaders locally and nationally to re-dedicate ourselves to democratic ideals. The will of the people freely expressed must be accepted by genuine democrats. Our electoral system must be strengthened to deliver credible elections. Under no circumstances should the will of the people be subverted.

“Free and fair elections are the lifeline of any virile democracy. Politicians must grow to know and accept that power flows from the people. Rigging elections is an act of war against democracy. Genuine democrats accept electoral verdicts as a mark of respect for the voters, the ultimate holder of sovereignty. That’s what I did in 2018 when I was denied victory.

“If there is any lesson June 12 every year is to teach us, it is that democracy thrives when electoral candidates bow to people’s will. We must stop being autocratic in democratic garb.

“If you are rejected at an election, take it in good faith and prepare for the next round of election. After all, Abraham Lincoln failed several polls before his eventual emergence as American president.”