PDP, Fashola, Oshiomhole congratulate Aregbesola

The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party has congratulated Governor Rauf Aregbesola for his reelection in last Saturday’s Osun State governorship poll.
The party also commended its candidate, Senator Iyiola Omisore, for his impressive outing, which confirms that PDP commands massive followership in the state.
The party said in a statement on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Barrister Olisa Metuh: “After a careful appraisal of the overall conduct of the election, the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, in spite of perceived anomalies, hereby accepts the results and congratulates Governor Rauf Aregbesola for his re-election.
“This is entirely in the interest of the growth of democracy, peace and political stability of the country in line with PDP’s ideology and the visions of our founding fathers.”
The party commended President Goodluck Jonathan for “creating the enabling environment for Osun people to freely and peacefully exercise their franchise without rancor or blood-letting”.
It said such remains a clear testimony to his unparalleled commitment to peaceful elections in Nigeria.
It also praised the security forces for their display of professionalism in keeping the peace and ensuring the protection of lives and property during the exercise.
The PDP however called on Nigerians to continue to note that for the All Progressives Congress, elections are only free and fair when they win and rigged when they lose, adding that such is not acceptable in a democracy.
While urging the APC to learn from the election and desist from actions and utterances that overheat the system and create room for violence, the PDP called on Nigerians to mark the trends and make their deductions regarding which party is actually committed to the survival and growth of democracy in Nigeria.
It called on its members and supporters to remain calm, while praising the people of Osun State for adhering to rules and conducting themselves in an orderly manner during the election.
The Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola (SAN), has also congratulated his brother governor for a well-deserved victory.
In a press statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Hakeem Bello, Fashola congratulated Aregbesola, the people and government of Osun State for a well-fought and won election in spite of intimidation and harassment by agencies of the ruling opposition party who sought to militarise the state.
The governor said the victory of his brother governor on the platform of the APC and the people of the state would remain a strong indicator of the victory of truth over falsehood, pointing out that no matter the amount of pressure or intimidation to suppress them, the ultimate power rests on the people in a democracy.
He said: “The ordinary people of the State of Osun have spoken the truth about their Governor and the people-oriented policies of the All Progressives Congress. It could be possible to deny what is being said but certainly it is not possible to deny what the eyes could see. The State of Osun, like every other State under the leadership of the All Progressives Congress, remains a proof of our resolve to lead the people of Nigeria to a better rewarding future.”
The Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has congratulated Aregbesola on his re-election victory, saying the wide margin of the victory is a validation of the confidence reposed in him by the people of the state.
In a congratulatory message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Peter Okhiria, Oshiomhole said: “I have seen a new lease of life for the people of the State of Osun over the past three and half years due to the radical improvements in the quality of governance you introduced. It is gratifying to note that you have restored a people-driven governance, reminiscent of the Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Chief Bola Ige eras, thus placing you firmly in the pantheon of the greats to have come from that part of the country.
“The wide margin of the votes you recorded in your re-election victory over your closest rival in a clear testimony of your doggedness and the confidence reposed in you by the good people of the State in your ability to move the State of Osun forward and position it among the best in the country.
“Above all, your victory has strengthened the Progressive Movement nationally and further enhanced its capacity to positively affect the direction of the nation’s polity.
“I salute the people of the State of Osun for choosing to toe the path of positive progressivism and lasting legacies over the politics of stomach infrastructure which the other party has introduced into the nation’s political lexicon.
“As you settle down to the business of governance in your second term, I wish you greater and quality achievements in your efforts to reposition the State of Osun. I assure you of the continued solidarity of the people and Government of Edo State.”