BEVERLY HILLS, August 10, (THEWILL) – President Goodluck Jonathan Sunday congratulated Gov.Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State on his victory in Saturday’s governorship election in the state.
The President, in a statement by his spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati, also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and national security agencies for ensuring that the elections were free, fair, credible and peaceful in keeping with the avowed commitment of his Administration.
President Jonathan also praised the people of Osun State who came out en masse to peacefully and freely exercise their democratic right, trusting in his assurance that all necessary measures would be taken to ensure their safety and the sanctity of their votes.
The President said he believed that the free, fair and peaceful conduct of the elections have fully reaffirmed his administration’s determination to positively reform Nigeria’s electoral processes.
He said the outcome of the election has also given the lie to the false, unfair and uncharitable allegations that measures put in place by the Federal Government for the Ekiti and Osun State elections were partisan and designed to achieve a favourable outcome for his party.
“As Governor Aregbesola prepares to begin a second term in office, President Jonathan looks forward to continuing to work with him and other state governors to further improve the living conditions of Nigerians in Osun and other states of the country.
“He wishes Governor Aregbesola continued good health and a successful second term in office,” the statement said. The President’s message came as the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) also congratulated Aregbesola on his re-election. The party also commended its candidate, Senator Iyiola Omisore, for his impressive outing which confirms that PDP commands massive followership in the state.
“After a careful appraisal of the overall conduct of the election, the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), 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” PDP said in a statement issued on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh.
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” saying 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 APC, 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 for adhering to rules and conducting themselves in an orderly manner during the election.
The PDP message came as Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun also congratulated Aregbesola and the people of Osun State on the overwhelming victory of the governor .
Amosun, who said the re-election of the Aregbesola is divine, also commended the good people of Osun State for keeping faith with the party and for their unwavering support for the governor and the APC at the polls.
In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mrs Olufunmilayo Wakama, the governor said that the electorate have shown clearly through the resounding victory of Aregbesola that they can make up their own minds, irrespective of pressures and persuasion, by voting massively for the APC and indeed Aregbesola at the just concluded election.
He charged the governor to see his second coming as most divine and re-dedicate himself to the service of the people of the state, who have freely given him their mandate for a second term.
“The people have again spoken with one voice through their mandate, freely given. I have always said it that our people are sophisticated and know which party is working and those that have their genuine interest at heart. This they have demonstrated in Osun State.
“I had no doubt in my mind that our party would come out victorious. We campaigned vigorously and encouraged our supporters to vote their conscience.” the governor said.
Amosun enjoined Aregbesola to continue with the good work he started and prayed God to continue to grant him the wisdom and strength to steer the ship of the state aright.
In the same vein, Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, in a statement issued in Ibadan by the Special Adviser , Dr. Festus Adedayo, congratulated Aregbesola on his victory, describing the outcome of the election as the triumph of democracy and the rule of law.
Governor Ajimobi said the wild jubilation that trailed the announcement of Aregbesola of the All Progressives Congress (APC) showed that the result was representative of the will of the people of Osun State.
While describing Aregbesola’s victory as a well-deserved one, the governor attributed it to the outstanding performance of his Osun State counterpart in his first term as well as the love of the people of the state for the APC and the ideals which it stood for.
He commended the people of the state for their collective resolve to say `No’ to the reactionary forces who he said were bent on returning Osun State to the path of retrogression and for voting for continuity of good governance which the Aregbesola administration represented.
Governor Ajimobi also commended members of the progressive family across the country for their support for, and solidarity with Governor Aregbesola and indeed, the good people of Osun State to ensure that the state was not hijacked by conservative elements.
He also expressed appreciation to INEC for being alive to its responsibilities even in the face of several challenges and pressures from certain quarters.
The governor described Aregbesola as a committed democrat and a man with passion for the development of Osun State and assured the people of the state of more dividends of democracy in the next dispensation.
Former Kwara State governor and chieftain of APC, Senator Olusola Saraki, in his congratulatory message said in spite of the overwhelming pressure mounted by the unnecessary influx of over 70,000 armed personnel across Osun State ; the illegal arrest and harassment of opposition members, and; the propaganda from the PDP, the people of Osun have spoken with their votes. “Osun has decided to give Ogbeni RaufAregbesola another four year mandate.
“I heartily congratulate my brother, Ogbeni Rauf on his sweeping re-election on the people-centered platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). “From every nook and cranny of the State of Osun, people came out en masse to send a clear and loud message: we will not be bullied into submission; we will not cower until we get the change that we rightly deserve; and we will remain united in the firm belief that we can rescue our nation from the failed governance of the Peoples Democratic Party.
“Osun has shown those seasonal politicians, that come out few months before election to claim a mandate from the people that no federal might can defeat the will of a powerful people. I know there are many out there that believe its time for a change but are held back because they believe “federal might” can’t be defeated or the people wish or voice doesn’t count , fellow Nigerians the good people of Osun have shown how that is such a fallacy in today’s Nigeria
“Despite the clear-cut democratic victory that we have witnessed today, now that the dust has settled, we must get back to building strong precedents for our nation. “I commend Nigerians especially the youth of Osun State, who followed the electoral process all day long to ensure results were not tampered with at any stage of the electoral process. A job well done
“The 2015 General Elections are only months away, therefore, before the single most important democratic contest of our time, we must bring those that choose to trample on the tenets of our democracy to justice. We must begin to investigate the new trend of arresting opposition leaders prior to elections. We must also begin to honestly question the restrictions placed on many of our fundamental Constitutional freedoms when elections come around.
“Osun is not only a victory for Ogbeni Rauf and the people of his state, it is a victory for the future of this nation. So, as we celebrate this monumental achievement, I urge Ogbeni Rauf to keep doing the will of his people. I also urge all changemakers, pacesetters, and progressive minded Nigerians to come on board and join us in the battle to reclaim the mandate of our nation.
“We can rescue Nigeria, however, like Osun has demonstrated today, we have to work hard and work together,” Saraki said in a message he personally signed..
