Last Saturday, February 19, 2022, All Progressives Congress members in Osun State rose in their large numbers to exercise their democratic rights. They voted massively to give Governor Adegboyega Isiaka Oyetola a clear mandate to contest for a second term in office. Their decision was expressed in very unambiguous and unmistaken terms. For this overwhelming victory in the APC primary election, I wholeheartedly congratulate and rejoice with Governor Oyetola.
This resounding victory across the 332 wards in the state is an affirmation of the widely-acknowledged sterling performance of the governor in his first term. It is also an expression of the confidence our teeming party members in Osun have in his ability and capacity to propel the state to an even greater height in the second term.
This victory is truly earned. You deserve it Your Excellency. Let me also congratulate the governor and all security officers deployed for the poll for creating the environment which enabled the direct primary election to be conducted in a peaceful atmosphere devoid of violence.
We thank the leadership of Osun APC for ensuring the success of the primary election and for effectively mobilising their members to participate fully in the electoral process. The party members also deserve praise for they not only conducted themselves in an orderly manner; they also ensured their choice is expressed freely, fairly and unreservedly.
Governor Oyetola submitted himself to the people and people-power has prevailed. His commitment to democracy, non-violent elections, nation-building, loyalty to party and party supremacy are particularly remarkable.
Alhaji Moshood Adeoti and Hon. Lasun Yusuff who also contested at the primary should be commended for exercising their democratic franchise peacefully. I must particularly give kudos to the Chairman of Osun State APC Primary Election Committee, Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq, and his team for an excellent job.
Now that he has been returned as the party’s candidate to contest for a second term, I enjoin Governor Oyetola to extend a hand of fellowship to those who vied for the ticket along with him. He must endeavour to bring them within the party’s fold so that together we can go into the July 16 governorship election as a united family.
This electoral victory is not only for him, it is also for APC and APC members in Osun. They must all come together so that come July 16 the progressive ideals of APC can continue to hold supreme in the state and Governor Oyetola can continue to deliver the dividends of democracy and good governance to our people.
*Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu
