Congratulatory messages have started pouring in for the reelected Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.
Aregbesola, who was reelected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, was on Sunday sent messages by President Goodluck Jonathan; the Governor of Kwara State, Alhaji Abdulfatai Ahmed; and the representative of the Kwara Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator Bukola Saraki.
The messages also eulogised security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission for their conduct during the poll.
Jonathan, in his congratulatory message issued by his spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati, wrote: “President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan congratulates Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State on his victory in Saturday’s governorship election in the state.
“The President commends the Independent National Electoral Commission and national security agencies for ensuring that the elections were free, fair, credible and peaceful in keeping with the avowed commitment of his Administration.
“President Jonathan also applauds the people of Osun State who came out en masse yesterday in all the local government areas of the state to peacefully and freely exercise their democratic right, trusting in his assurance that all necessary measures would be taken to ensure their safety and the sanctity of their votes.
“The President believes that the free, fair and peaceful conduct of the elections have fully reaffirmed his administration’s determination to positively reform Nigeria’s electoral processes.
“The outcome of the election has also given the lie to the false, unfair and uncharitable allegations that measures put in place by the federal government for the Ekiti and Osun State elections were partisan and designed to achieve a favourable outcome for his party.
“As Governor Aregbesola prepares to begin a second term in office, President Jonathan looks forward to continuing to work with him and other state governors to further improve the living conditions of Nigerians in Osun and other states of the country.
“He wishes Governor Aregbesola continued good health and a successful second term in office.”
Ahmed described the re-election of Aregbesola as an affirmation of the supremacy of the wish of the people and reward for good governance and purposeful leadership.
Ahmed said the Osun State governor has in almost four years laid a solid foundation for socio-economic and infrastructural development of the State of the Living Spring.
“The people of Osun State, have through the renewal of Governor Aregbesola’s mandate for a second term, affirmed unequivocally that peoples’ will is supreme as it glides over the machinations of those desirous of drawing back the clock of progress,” Ahmed said.
The Kwara State governor added that the re-election of Aregbesola also marked a vote for the ideals, philosophy and programmes of the APC.
Ahmed urged his Osun State counterpart to continue the running of an inclusive government where patronage is not coloured by political affiliation but the greater good of the majority.
Saraki wrote: “In spite of the overwhelming pressure mounted by the unnecessary influx of over 70,000 armed personnel across the state of Osun; the illegal arrest and harassment of opposition members, and; the propaganda from the PDP, the great people of Osun have spoken with their votes. Osun has decided to give Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola another four year mandate.
“I heartily congratulate my brother, Ogbeni Rauf on his sweeping re-election on the people-centered platform of the All Progressives Congress.
“From every nook and cranny of the State of Osun, people came out en mass to send a clear and loud message: we will not be bullied into submission; we will not cower until we get the change that we rightly deserve; and we will remain united in the firm belief that we can rescue our nation from the failed governance of the Peoples Democratic Party.
“Osun has shown those seasonal politicians, that come out few months before election to claim a mandate from the people that no federal might can defeat the will of a powerful people. I know there are many out there that believe its time for a change but are held back because they believe “federal might” can’t be defeated or the people wish or voice doesn’t count, fellow Nigerians the good people of Osun has shown how that is such a fallacy in today’s Nigeria
“Despite the clear-cut democratic victory that we have witnessed today, now that the dust has settled, we must get back to building strong precedents for our nation.
“I commend Nigerians especially the youth of Osun state, who followed the electoral process all day long to ensure results were not tampered with at any stage of the electoral process. A job well done
“The 2015 General Elections are only months away, therefore, before the single most important democratic contest of our time, we must bring those that choose to trample on the tenets of our democracy to justice. We must begin to investigate the new trend of arresting opposition leaders prior to elections. We must also begin to honestly question the restrictions placed on many of our fundamental Constitutional freedoms when elections come around.
“Osun is not only a victory for Ogbeni Rauf and the people of his state, it is a victory for the future of this nation. So, as we celebrate this monumental achievement, I urge Ogbeni Rauf to keep doing the will of his people. I also urge all changemakers, pacesetters, and progressive minded Nigerians to come on board and join us in the battle to reclaim the mandate of our nation.
“We can rescue Nigeria, however, like Osun has demonstrated today, we have to work hard and work together.
“God bless the great people of Osun. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Trending
- Okuama Killings: Army whisks away Delta monarch to Abuja
- Students kick as Baze University hikes tuition by 35%, hostel 100%
- NIPPS Alumni to EFCC Chairman: You’re not alone
- Ebonyi pledges to sustain achievements as USAID BA-N scales back health support
- Confederation Cup: Rivers United host defending champions + All CC, CL fixtures
- Top five shows to binge on GOtv Stream catchUp this Easter holiday
- UTME: Candidates will now be held responsible if parents disrupt exam process – Prof. Oloyede
- FG restates commitment to press freedom, demands responsibility