July 17, (THEWILL) – The Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has congratulated Sen. Ademola Adeleke on his victory at the Osun polls.
THEWILL reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday morning, declared Adeleke winner of Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State.
The Governor-elect had polled a total of 403,371 votes to beat his closest rival and incumbent governor and candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Gboyega Oyetola, who secured 375,027 votes.
Reacting to the PDP’s victory on the poll, former Vice-President Atiku, in a statement titled: “The Ship of Hope is Already at the Harbour”, wrote: “I have always had affection for the people of Osun State for obvious reasons. Yes, my wife hails from there, but if you have to walk a difficult path and you need men and women of courage and astute valour, the people of Osun will never be a disappointment.
“At this point in time when our country needs to take a break from the shameful effects of bad governance, it shall be on record that Osun State provided the compass into that brighter future that awaits us at the horizon.
“The referendum on the administration of the APC has commenced with the verdict of the people of Osun State in electing Senator Ademola Adeleke, while we know that the 2023 general elections will be a full referendum.
“It is inconceivable that Nigerians will reward the APC for the failings of the last seven years. And in a state like Osun, for example, it’s been a long time since the people last felt the effect of good governance.
“The ship of hope is already at the harbour under the umbrella of the Peoples Democratic Party. We shall intensify the work to ensure that we uproot all vestiges of bad governance and false hopes towards the 2023 election. The Imole (light) that has started to shine from Osun, shall soon have a national coverage.
“One more good thing about the victory in Osun is that it has provided a catalyst for the PDP to see the opportunity when the party works together in unity. The work to bring the PDP together is a work in progress and the good news is that we are steadily making progress.
“As you wake up the morning after (Sunday, the 17th of July, 2022), you may be assured that you are doing so with the illumination that has come to Osun. Congratulations to Sen. Ademola Adeleke, on a well-fought victory. Also, hearty congratulations to the PDP family and all stakeholders who came together to make this sweet victory possible. But even more importantly, congratulations to the great people of Osun State for proving that power truly belongs to the people.
“The march to reclaim Nigeria’s greatness has begun and it shall not stop until we achieve the goal of ONE PEOPLE, ONE FUTURE and ONE COUNTRY.”
On his part, Delta State Governor and Vice Presidential Candidate of the PDP, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, has also congratulated Senator Adeleke on his victory in Saturday’s guber poll in Osun State.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Olisa Ifeajika, in Asaba, on Sunday, the Delta governor described the election of Adeleke as, “the affirmation of Osun people’s will” and called on Nigerians to always stand for good leaders with the interest of the people at heart as Osun people just did for Adeleke.
He stated that the electorate across the 30 local government areas of the state spoke loudly and very clearly in their affirmation of their choice of Adeleke as the next governor.
Okowa lauded the former governor of the state, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola; Senator Olu Alabi and other party leaders in the state for working together in the interest of the PDP and the Osun people.
He noted that the election of Adeleke had signposted the reality of PDP’s determination to rescue Nigeria, saying “the mission has just begun.
“Let me congratulate my brother, Senator Ademola Adeleke, on his victory in the July 16 governorship election in Osun.
“It is heart-warming to see you emerge as Governor-elect of Osun against all odds and I am grateful to the electorate in Osun for shunning entreaties of retrogressive forces, who were ostensibly resolved on subverting the wishes of the people through vote-buying and other rigging strategies.
“Let me also thank the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for demonstrating true independence as required by the laws of our land and for improving on the logistics and conduct of the election.
“The most significant aspect of this victory is the peaceful outcome of the election, as Osun people conducted themselves responsibly by ensuring that the election was devoid of violence”, he said.
The governor also congratulated the PDP and the Chairman of its National Campaign Council for Osun Governorship Election and Governor of Bayelsa, Senator Douye Diri and other members of the campaign council for their efforts, which culminated in the victory.
He said the brotherhood displayed by PDP governors and other party members towards the election of Adeleke was what the country needed currently to take the nation to greater heights in 2023.
“Let me also congratulate our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Chairman of the PDP National Campaign Council and Governor of Bayelsa, Senator Douye Diri and other members of the Campaign Council for their efforts, which led to the victory of the party in Osun.
“I must also thank my principal and Presidential Candidate of our great party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President, Namadi Sambo and former President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, for their attendance at the rally in Osun, an action that contributed immensely to the outcome of the election.
“Going forward as a nation, we can only develop further if the people are allowed to choose their leaders at all levels without any hindrance as has been exemplified in Osun.
“It’s therefore, a clarion call on INEC to strive to do the right thing as an unbiased umpire.
“On behalf of the government and people of Delta, I congratulate you my dear brother and friend, Senator Ademola Adeleke, on your successful election as Governor-elect of Osun.
“It is my prayer that God will grant you wisdom, knowledge and the needed resources to attend to your campaign promises of taking away the darkness that pervades your state, Osun”, he added.
Similarly, Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has also congratulated Adeleke on his victory at the polls.
In a statement, the governor said the people have chosen PDP’s values of equity, unity and progress.
“The people of Osun State have made their choices through the ballot, choosing the PDP and our ideals of equity, unity and progress, over the retrogressive policies that have had them in dire straits these past years.
“We stand with the people of Osun in sending a clear message to Nigerians that we are prepared and ready to rescue them from the hardship and woes that they have been thrown into”, he said.
As a party (PDP), Obaseki said, “We remain steadfast in our commitment to rescue Nigeria and are, by this victory, fired up to go into the 2023 general elections to win.”
On his part, former Senate President Bukola Saraki, in a statement on Sunday, said Adeleke has reclaimed PDP’s stolen mandate in Osun.
Saraki emphasised that after the inexplicable loss in 2018, Adeleke demonstrated leadership by working to build a stronger coalition across the state and the nation in order to ensure that the PDP remained the most popular party in the state and emerged victorious four years later.
He described Adeleke as the “leader that Osun needs at this crucial time.”
He wrote: “Today, all across Nigeria, the nation has watched as the people of Osun State have delivered a clear, loud, and strong message: “Imole De” — which means that light has come.
“With everything that we have all witnessed here in Osun State, one lesson remains clear: the people of Nigeria want better. They want lives that are not hampered by the rising cost of living, the flailing economy, and insecurity. They want a conscientious government — one that works for and represents the best interests of themselves, their families, and their communities.”
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