Oyetola: What I Will Do As Newly Elected Governor

Newly elected governor of Osun State, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, has promised to run an all inclusive government as the state governor.

Oyetola, was elected under the platform of All Progressive Congress (APC).

He assured the people of the state that his administration, like that of his predecessor, will be people-focused, people-oriented and participatory.

While, he promised to build and consolidate on the achievements of the Governor Rauf Aregbesola led government in the state.

Oyetola made the promise while delivering his acceptance speech shortly after his announcement as Governor-Elect by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Oyetola who polled 255,505 votes to defeat his closest rival,  Mr Nurudeen Ademola Adeleke, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who scored 255,023, promised to be magnanimous in victory.

The Osun Governor-Elect described his emergence as primarily a victory for democracy, rule of law and due process, saying his emergence at the poll has further demonstrated the right of every citizen to participate in government, which democracy represents.

He said his victory at the poll remains an affirmation by the people of Osun in the APC government, which has been on the saddle in the past eight years as well as the acceptance of his party’s ideology to turn Osun to an Eldorado.

Oyetola attributed the mandate given to him by the residents as sacred which he is obliged to take serious.

He said: “I will run an inclusive and participatory government. I will consult with the party, workers, communities, traditional rulers, the civil society and the people of the state in their heterogeneity.

“I will engage the youth, tap into their ideas and enable them to unleash their creative energy in a positive way as I pledge to serve God and humanity and the people of Osun with my whole being, without prejudice to religion, ethnicity, race and ideology.

“I will like to commend and congratulate INEC for successfully conducting a free, fair and credible governorship election. I congratulate also our party, the APC, in Nigeria and the South West, for its well-deserved victory at the polls, wrapping up the South West states and giving it the opportunity to use the progressive platform it offers for accelerated development of the region.

“The leadership and members of our party nationally and locally laboured hard for my victory. Our National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, backed me to the hilt. I thank him.

“The national campaign committee headed by Governor Umar Ganduje and all the APC governors have my commendations and infinite gratitude.

“I will like to express my profound gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari for his invaluable support and for leading a delegation of party and government officials to my campaign.

“Vice President Yemi Osinbajo did a yeoman’s job. He made several trips to Osun and supported the campaign with all available resources.

“My immense gratitude goes to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the leader of leaders, for his selflessness and absolute commitment to my election campaign and for giving his all.

“I cannot thank enough Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, who gave me an opportunity to serve and who carried me on his shoulders when the going was tough.

“I must thank also the coalition that emerged for the rerun, including Senator Iyiola Omisore of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Osun Alliance of Collaborating Political Parties (ACPP) that wholeheartedly endorsed and supported my candidature.

“I thank my lovely wife, Kafayat, and the children for believing in me and supporting me absolutely. My wife, in particular, gave me the peace of mind and refreshing comfort at home.

“I thank all the people of Osun, especially those who believe in our cause and voted for me. It is your victory. I thank our royal fathers, workers, transporters, market women and men.

“The security agencies deserve commendation for keeping the peace and for their prompt response to every security challenge before, during and after the election.

“I also congratulate Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, under whom I cut my political teeth and whose tenure was on trial during the election.

“I regard the mandate given to me by the good people of Osun as sacred and I am taking it seriously. Of course, I have been part of the new beginning that started eight years ago.

“Nevertheless, in continuing the glorious path on which I am now very familiar, it is a new beginning for me. I am committing myself the more to the good governance of Osun and the welfare of the people.”, he said.