Atiku, PDP Govs, Ayu, Secondus, others hail courageous Osun people over victory

OBIORA IFOH, JONAS EZIEKE and, PAULETTE ORJIME-Abuja

 

 

Congratulations have continued to pour in for Peoples Democratic Party, PDP’s candidate, Senator Ademola Adeleke over his victory at Saturday’s Osun state governoship election over the incumbent Governor, Gboyega Oyetola.

 

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC had declared Senator Adeleke as the winner of the election having polled 403, 371 votes against Gov. Oyetola’s 375, 027. Labour Party came a distant third.

 

The PDP presidential candidate and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar said the referendum on the administration of the APC has commenced with the verdict of the people of Osun State in electing Senator Adeleke, while the 2023 general election will be a full referendum.

 

In a statement he personally signed, the Waziri Adamawa said, “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.”

 

He said that it is inconceivable that Nigerians will reward the APC for the failings of the last seven years and that 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.”

 

Also, the PDP Governors Forum says the victory was an emphatic statement that it is time for APC to go.

 

Similarly, Chairman of the forum and Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal in a statement said that Osun people reposed their trust and confidence in Sen. Ademola Adeleke, is because they could see his heart, which is full of love and concern for the wellbeing of his people.

 

“This victory is as a result of the sagacity, hardwork, teamwork, skillful campaigns, efficient resource allocation, openness and humility exhibited by the Governor-elect.

 

“He concentrated on issues that mattered most to Osun people and they responded in kind, bestowing on him and PDP an earth-shaking victory of historic proportions.

 

This victory is a lesson for all. It shows that everyone matters in politics,  particularly the electorate.  It also confirms the famous dictum that ‘God’s time is the best’.

 

“We must remain vigilant and anticipate all the antics the dying All Progressives Congress (APC) will come up with. But rest assured that we are all with you in this great effort to reset the trajectory and story of  Nigeria, positively.

 

“The light has shone on Osun State, in July. It is time for the light to shine on Nigeria, again through the instrumentality of the PDP, come February, 2023.”

 

 

Osun people have spoken, and Nigeria will speak too – Ayu

 

Meanwhile, the National Chairman of the PDP, Senator Iyorchia Ayu reflected on the tortious journey towards winning the state particularly how the ruling party, APC did everything to frustrate the PDP campaign which included denying it the use of any public facility in the state capital for its mega-rally.

 

“We had to use the party’s state secretariat. As it were, we couldn’t have access to the stadium, but we had access to the people’s hearts, loyalty and votes.”

 

The PDP chairman who is tasting his first major win with Osun election since assumption of office said, “Twelve years ago, specifically on 26th November, 2010, the PDP lost Osun state – not through the ballot-box – but via a judicial coup (ruling). That coup (ruling) terminated the action-packed tenure of HE Olagunsoye Oyinlola. And since then, Osun has been frozen in executive misrule and underdevelopment.

 

“Four years ago, the PDP won the governorship, but our Candidate, Sen. Adeleke, was robbed of victory in broad daylight. We went back to the drawing-board, and today, we have reclaimed our victory.

 

“Today is, therefore, not just a day of double restoration – it’s a day of redemption too. It restores PDP to power and redeems the Osun people from the scourge of mediocrity, empty promises and excuses.

 

“I congratulate the two-time winner, the tenacious Adeleke. I congratulate the good people and residents of Osun state. I hail every party stakeholder who stood with us in action, prayers and hope.

 

“You have kept faith with the PDP. You refused to be intimidated. You refused to be bought over with foodstuffs and 30 silver coins. You said no to thuggery and vote-fraud. You have done well.

 

“You have helped to return PDP to power after 12 years. You have returned hope to Osun state. But beyond this, you have renewed the quit notice on the reigning APC Federal government. PDP first issued the quit notice in December last year when this present leadership assumed office.

 

“This election was a referendum on the disastrous APC stewardship, and proves conclusively that Nigerians want PDP back. And, indeed, PDP is coming!

 

“The task before us now is to transit from Opposition to Governance . This we shall do. With OSUN DONE, NEXT VILLA!

 

“We call on all PDP members and all Nigerians to join the moving PDP train. Don’t be left behind. Our NEXT destination is ASO VILLA.”

 

Secondus salutes Adeleke, Osun people for standing up for democracy

 

Meanwhile, the immediate past National Chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus has also congratulated Governor- elect Senator Ademola Adeleke on his well deserved victory at the Saturday’s Osun state Governorship elections.

 

Prince Secondus said that the victory is a clear affirmation and demonstration of the people’s goodwill in appreciation of the efforts of the Adelekes in the development of the state.

 

The former National Chairman praised the Osun people for standing up for democracy through their avowed determination to ensure that their will and nobody else prevailed in the state. And also for waiting patiently to reclaim their victory after they were robbed four years ago.

 

“By this brave and courageous act, Osun people have shown their determination  to take their collective destiny in their own hands and for this PDP and all lovers of democracy are proud of them.

 

The former National Chairman also noted that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and the various security operatives significantly played by the rules.

“We are standing on the euphoria of this to urge the INEC and other critical players iIn our democracy to ensure that 2023 reflects the will of the people.

 

“The former PDP boss also has positive words for the international community for their vital interests in the country’s democracy and urged them not to relent until the people’s will continues to prevail in all electoral circumstances.

 

“Prince Secondus recalls that four years ago international community openly decried the electoral fraud in Osun state gubernatorial poll and said this year is a significant and positive departure.”

 

According to PDP presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, ‘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 election 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.

 

Also, Minority Leader of the House of Representatives Hon.Ndudi Elumelu has congratulated Senator Ademola Adeleke on his victory on the just concluded gubernatorial election won by the Peoples Democratic Party PDP in Osun State on Saturday as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC on Sunday July 17.

 

Elumelu in a statement he signed said that on behalf of members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the House of Representatives, he congratulates the Osun State Governor-Elect, Sen. Ademola Adeleke, on his well-deserved victory in the Saturday, July 16, 2022 Governorship election.

 

“Your overwhelming defeat of a sitting governor underscores the well-founded confidence and trust the people of Osun State repose in you as the leader with the desired capacity, integrity, humility, love for the people and the political will to lead their state in the right direction.

 

“Also, this victory and recovery of the mandate that was stolen from you by the APC in 2018 further reinforces your popularity and that of the PDP not only in Osun State, but also in the South West geo-political zone and the nation as a whole”

 

The Caucus leader said that the indubitable triumph of the PDP over the APC in the Osun governorship election signposts the crushing defeat that awaits the APC in the 2023 Presidential election, with the soaring popularity of our Presidential Candidate, His Excellency,

 

Similarly, Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue has congratulated the Osun governor- elect, Sen. Ademola Adeleke on  his  victory at  Saturday governorship poll in the state.

 

This is contained in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Nathaniel Ikyur on Sunday in Makurdi.

 

Ortom praised Adeleke for his steadfastness, hard work and commitment to the welfare of the people that earned him the victory.

 

He also praised the people of Osun, the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC), the media, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and the security operatives for ensuring that the will of the people prevailed.

 

“On behalf of myself, the government and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) family, I congratulate Adeleke on his overwhelming victory.

 

“I am convinced that you will provide an enduring leadership for the people in appreciation for the massive support they have given you,” Ortom said.

 

“The victory of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate; Senator Adeleke in the Osun election is a measure of trust and confidence of the citizens on him and the party “, Ortom stated.

 

He, however, counselled Adeleke not to take the trust and confidence for granted, stressing that he should carry everybody along.

 

He noted that the people expected him to change the narrative by bringing positive changes to his state.

 

“The election of Adeleke, is a precursor to the sweet round of victories awaiting the PDP.”

 

He urged Adeleke to sustain and improve his family reputation of excellence, dignity and leadership so that Osun could regain her glory under his administration.

 

On its part, an Election Monitoring Group, Yiaga Africa said that the Independent National Electoral Commission’s  (INEC) official  announcement on  the votes cast during Osun governorship election was consistent with the  group’s  Watching the Votes (WTV) estimated range.

Addressing a news conference on Sunday in Osogbo, the group’s Board Chairman, Dr Hussain Abdu,  said had the   official results been changed at the ward, local government or state collation centres, the results would not have fallen within the Yiaga Africa WTV estimated ranges.

He said, ” because the official results fall within the estimated ranges, candidates, parties, and voters should have confidence that  the official results for the Osun 2022 gubernatorial election reflect the ballots cast at polling units on Saturday, July 16, 2022.

” It is important to highlight that the counting process at polling units was transparent and included representatives from the four political parties that received the most votes”.

Abdu said that the group  employed the Parallel Vote Tabulation (PVT) methodology and deployed 500 observers in pairs to a representative random sample of 250 polling units,  32 mobile observers  in all 30 local government areas and 30 results collation observers.

According to him, the deployment strategy enabled Yiaga Africa to provide timely and accurate information on the election day process commencing from the set-up, voter accreditation, voting, counting and to independently verify the official results  of the election as announced by INEC.

Abdu said Yiaga Africa commended the people of Osun for their resilience and commitment to a non-violent election.

He said the group encouraged the voters to sustain their participation in the electoral process beyond the elections by holding political parties and candidates accountable for their campaign promises.

Abdu, however, called on INEC to audit the newly created polling units and ensure equitable distribution of voters to the polling units.

He said  In cases where voters had been allotted to new polling units, INEC should update the voter records on its website and communicate the changes to prevent voter disenfranchisement.

Abdu said Yiaga Africa thanked the many Nigerians across the state who volunteered to serve as non-partisan WTV citizen observers on behalf of all the people of Osun.

 

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