Ahead of Saturday’s Osun State governorship election, national leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday rallied support for the re-election of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola for a second term in office just as immediate past governor of the state, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola was conspicuously absent at the rally.
Among chieftains of the party present at the rally held at Osogbo township stadium were, the national chairman of the party, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, first chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, presidential candidate of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, senate president, Ahmad Lawan, national secretary, Senator Iyiola Omisore and no fewer than 10 governors.
They described Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, as an excellent performer who has brought purpose to governance and expressed confidence that the party will coast home overwhelmingly come Saturday.
The senate president, Senator Ahmad Lawan, lauded Oyetola’s prudence and efficiency in managing the state’s meagre resources, calling on citizens to look beyond political sentiments in their choice of who to elect, and to vote massively for Oyetola.
On his part, the presidential flag-bearer of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urged the people of Osun to replicate the victory recorded last month in Ekiti.
Tinubu said, “We have come to ask that you vote massively on Saturday for APC, not as a mark of entitlement but because of the future of your children.
“Before you make your decision, think of the future. We are a party that guarantees your future because we are known for fulfilling our promises. Let us entrust the affairs of our state into the hands of those who mean business, not mushroom parties.”
In his remarks, the national chairman of the party, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, said the mega rally was an indication that the APC was not taking any chances with the affairs of Osun, saying the state deserves a leader like Oyetola in its quest for development.
Adamu said: “This is a mega rally to promote our candidate. We are taking no chances with the affairs of Osun because the state deserves a leader like Oyetola in its quest for development.
This is why we have come in full strength to support him in a bid to ensure his re-election. Those who have a fair mind will testify that he has done so much since he became governor in 2018.”
Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, chairman of the Nigeria Progressives Governors’ Forum, Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State, assured that Oyetola has the backing of all APC governors in the coming election, saying he had earned it with his outstanding performance.
Bagudu also lauded the tremendous and landmark developments Osun had recorded across sectors since Oyetola’s emergence.
Earlier, the chairman of the National Campaign Council for Osun governorship election and Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, described Oyetola as deserving of another term based on his personal encounters with the people of the state.
In his words; “We thank the originator of the IleriOluwa political slogan, our dear Governor Oyetola, the one because of whom we are here. Indeed, it is a huge honour that we stand here today because this is a worthy assignment and we have a sellable candidate. It is a job that is gratifying and doable because Governor Oyetola has indeed performed excellently well.”
While welcoming members of the National Campaign Council to the state, the director-general of Oyetola’s re-election Campaign Council, Senator Ajibola Basiru, described the grand rally as a celebration of excellence.
He said: “Today, you are being welcomed to the celebration of excellence in governance because in the last three and a half years, Governor Oyetola has brought dexterity, commitment and integrity to the affairs of this state across sectors.’’
In his remarks, Governor Oyetola, said Osun is on the path of consolidating on the gains of the last three and a half years.
He urged the people of Osun, especially workers, to shun political traducers who are peddling falsehood that his administration will renege in its commitment to their welfare if re-elected, saying he remains strongly committed to their welfare. Oyetola also declared his readiness to do beyond what he has done in his first term, saying the welfare of workers and citizens and the overall development of Osun remains his priority.
