TheCable

Ademola Adeleke, senator from Osun west, says he was only having fun during his campaign because he knew he had his late brother’s goodwill.

Adeleke replaced his brother, Isiaka, who died in April.

A few days to the election ,he defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and still won.

Speaking at a meeting with Femi Adesina, presidential spokesman, at the state house on Thursday, Adeleke said he inherited the goodwill of his late brother in Osun state, and that he was well received at the senate.

“I was having fun during the campaign and enjoying my dance because my brother had done 70 percent of the job with his historical goodwill right from when he became an executive governor in 1991. I was always with him. I want to follow his footsteps and may God help me,” he said.

Adeleke said he had already put a framework in place to ensure that all his promises to the electorate were fully delivered, which include sustaining the legacy of promoting good education through scholarships and healthcare for the people, especially the under privileged.

“My brother laid a good foundation for me, but I would have preferred if he was around and had probably decided to retire at a good old age, instead of stepping into his shoes when he passed on,” he said.

The lawmaker said he would always support a bottom-up style of development in the country that paid close attention to the grassroots by strengthening local government councils.

On his part, Adesina said Adeleke’s victory at the polls reflected a new era of bridge building in Nigeria’s democracy.

He said this would further strengthen political institutions for future elections.

“The expectations from you will be obviously very high because your late brother, Sen Isiaka Adeleke, was very popular, large-hearted and kind to a lot of people, and I know you are getting ready to fill the big shoes,” he added.