Governor-elect of Osun State,
Gboyega Oyetola, has thanked the people of the state for supporting him to
victory in the just concluded governorship election.
Oyetola had on Thursday won the
rerun election with a difference of 835 votes as he acquired a total of 1160
votes to Adeleke’s 325.
The poll closed with Oyetola
winning a total 255,505 votes, 482 more votes than Adeleke’s 255,023. INEC’s
Chief Returning Officer for the elections, Professor Joseph Afuwape, declared
Oyetola the winner in Osogbo, the state capital on Thursday evening.
In his acceptance speech, Oyetola
described the election as free and fair.
He also thanked President
Muhammadu Buhari, APC National Leader, Asiwaju Tinubu and incumbent governor,
Rauf Aregbesola, for creating the atmosphere for a democratic process.
His full statement below…
ACCEPTANCE SPEECH BY THE
GOVERNOR-ELECT OF OSUN, GBOYEGA OYETOLA, AFTER BEING DECLARED WINNER OF THE
GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION HELD ON SEPTEMBER 22, 2018
“Election into the Office of the
Governor of the State of Osun was held on Saturday, September 22, 2018, in
which I flew the flag of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in a contest with
47 other candidates, representing their different political parties.
“From the field report and the
tally of the ballots, there was enthusiastic turnout at the polls. The huge
number of candidates who vied for the office was unprecedented. Though there
were few glitches and challenges here and there, the exercise was satisfactory.
We can say there has been substantial compliance with the provisions of the
constitution and the Electoral Act.
“However, the election was
declared inconclusive after the first ballot and a rerun was slated for
Thursday, September 27, 2018, in seven polling units in Ife North, Ife South,
Orolu and Osogbo Local Governments Areas of the State.
“This was disappointing. We had
enough evidence and field reports, including signed result sheets, from our
agents that confirmed that we won outrightly. However, as Democrats, we
accepted the verdict in good faith and prepared for the rerun.
“In the end, I was declared
winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after securing
the highest number of votes cast in the election.
“This election has been keenly
contested, and a clear winner could not emerge until the tail end. Indeed,
there was a dramatic twist in the end that kept us all on the edge and made
Osun the focus of national and international attention. This is an indication
of how democratic, free, fair and transparent the election was.
“However, I cannot but observe
that the election took place under a much more relaxed and freer atmosphere,
compared with the previous elections, particularly the 2014 governorship
election, during which the state was put under siege by the then Federal
Government.
“The democratic environment
created by the APC under which this election was held is a clear indication of
the great political development that has occurred in the past three years of
our party’s administration, under President Muhammadu Buhari.
“This election is primarily a
victory for democracy, rule of law and due process. It is a victory for the
right of every citizen to participate in their own governance which democracy
represents.
“The victory is an affirmation by
the people of Osun in the APC government that has been on the saddle in the
past eight years; and the acceptance of our ideology. It is a positive
affirmation of our people-friendly policies and the way we have steered the
ship of state, even under the most challenging circumstances.
“This is ultimately a victory for
the people of Osun that have been given a voice and a hope of democratic and
responsible leadership.
“I will like to commend and
congratulate INEC for successfully conducting a free, fair and credible
governorship election. I congratulate also our party, the APC, in Nigeria and
South West, for its well-deserved victory at the polls, wrapping up the South
West states and giving it the opportunity to use the progressive platform it
offers for accelerated development of the region. I also congratulate Ogbeni
Rauf Aregbesola, under whom I cut my political teeth and whose tenure was on
trial during the election.
“I regard the mandate given to me
by the good people of Osun as sacred and I am taking it seriously. Of course, I
have been part of the new beginning that started eight years ago.
“Nevertheless, in continuing the
glorious path on which I am now very familiar, it is a new beginning for me. I
am committing myself the more to the good governance of Osun and the welfare of
the people.I will run an inclusive and participatory government. I will consult
with the party, workers, communities, traditional rulers, the civil society and
the people of the state in their heterogeneity. I will engage the youth, tap
into their ideas and enable them to unleash their creative energy in a positive
way.
“I pledge to serve God and
humanity and the people of Osun with my whole being, without prejudice to
religion, ethnicity, race and ideology.
I will like to thank the Almighty
God for His grace and divine enablement upon my life, and for fulfilling His
promise to bless the land and people of Osun through me.
I will like to thank our great
party, APC, for the overwhelming support given to me all through the campaign
and for believing in me. The leadership and members of our party nationally and
locally laboured hard for my victory. Our National Chairman, Comrade Adams
Oshiomhole, backed me to the hilt. I thank him.
The national campaign committee
headed by Governor Umar Ganduje and all the APC governors have my commendations
and infinite gratitude.
“I will like to express my
profound gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari for his invaluable support and
for leading a delegation of party and government officials to my campaign. Vice
President Yemi Osinbajo did a yeoman’s job. He made several trips to Osun and
supported the campaign with all available resources.
“My immense gratitude goes to
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the leader of leaders, for his selflessness and
absolute commitment to my election campaign and for giving his all.I cannot
thank enough Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, who gave me an opportunity to serve and
who carried me on his shoulders when the going was tough.
“I must thank also the coalition
that emerged for the rerun, including Senator Iyiola Omisore of the Social
Democratic Party (SDP) and Osun Alliance of Collaborating Political Parties
(ACPP) that wholeheartedly endorsed and supported my candidature.
I thank my lovely wife, Kafayat,
and the children for believing in me and supporting me unreservedly. My wife,
in particular, gave me the peace of mind and refreshing comfort at home.
I cannot end without thanking
every member of my campaign team for their sacrifice, dedication and
commitment. It is their victory as well.I thank all the people of Osun,
especially those who believe in our cause and voted for me. It is your victory.
I thank our royal fathers, workers, transporters, market women and men.
“The security agencies deserve
commendation for keeping the peace and for their prompt response to every
security challenge before, during and after the election.I salute members of
the media too for their coverage.
Once again, I congratulate and
thank all members of the APC in Osun for our hard-won victory, thank you all
for your attention.”
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