After an unnecessarily tense, tortuous and even traumatic
process, the Independent National Electoral Commission this morning
declared me as the winner of the Osun state governorship election on the
platform of the All Progressive Congress (APC). On behalf of my party,
we are delighted to claim victory for our hard work, focus and
dedication in this election. I thank the Almighty God for our triumph at
the polls, against all odds.
To the good people of Osun State goes
our unflinching gratitude. We salute your steadfastness, courage,
loyalty, commitment and fierce determination to defend your sovereign
rights and the integrity of our nascent democracy. You have demonstrated
in this election that in a democracy, power truly belongs to the
people. I am humbled and honoured by your trust and abiding faith in me
and my party. I pledge that your confidence in us shall never be
betrayed or taken for granted.
Ordinarily, this should be a moment
of joy and celebration consequent upon the hard earned triumph of the
people’s will. However, this election shows that democracy is still
gravely endangered in Nigeria. We witnessed gross abuse of power and, of
due process before, during, and even after the actual voting process.
It is so sad and unfortunate that what should be a normal, routine
process was maliciously allowed to snowball in to a needless virtual war
by the Federal Government and the PDP.
Osun state was unduly
militarized in an unprecedented manner through criminal intimidation and
psychological assault on our people. This election witnessed an abuse
of our security agencies and amounted to a corruption of their
professional ethics and integrity.
The security agencies were
unprofessionally utilized in Osun state to harass, intimidate and
oppress the people whose taxes are used to pay their salaries and
provide their arms. Hundreds of leaders, supporters, sympathizers and
agents of our party were arrested and detained. Also, hundreds of other
innocent citizens including women and the aged were harassed, brutalized
and traumatized. In spite of this condemnable repression and abuse of
human rights, the unflagging spirit of our people triumphed.
Our
victory is due to the steadfastness and resolute determination of our
people to assert and defend their rights. The PDP obviously did all it
could in a most desperate manner to steal the people’s mandate. A
critical analysis of the elections shows a trend of general low voter
turnout largely because of the atmosphere of deliberate tyranny and fear
caused by the excessive militarization of the state. Despite our
victory, it is pertinent to condemn and also point out the fact that the
number of accredited voters in most local governments was less than
half of registered voters. Against this trend, it is curious that the
bulk of the PDP candidate’s votes came from only four Local Governments-
namely Ife Central, Ife East, Ife North and Ife South. This suggests an
inexplicable large turnout in his stronghold which is a curious
departure from the general trend of voting across the state.
The
outcome of this election, once again, shows the unswerving determination
of our people to ensure that democracy triumphs in Nigeria. We have
sent a strong signal to all and sundry that no might is powerful enough
to thwart the will of the people. This should always strengthen our
resolve to ensure that as from now on, every vote must not only be
counted but must count in this country. Nobody or party must ever
exercise power unreasonably at any level except in accordance with the
will of the people to whom sovereignty belongs.
Let me assure the
good people of Osun state that I appreciate that this victory is a
reward for our hard work and commitment to the welfare of our people. I
promise that we shall not rest on our oars but shall be spurred to work
even harder with all well meaning people of the State of Osun and the
generality of Nigerians to continue to enjoy your trust and support. You
can be assured that we will leave no stone unturned in our continued
effort to transform Osun into a land of progress, prosperity and peace
for all with renewed fervour. I realise that this victory and the
challenges we went through is a call to greater service and sustained
commitment to our people. I pledge a rededication of myself to the
service of our people and the strengthening of democratic values in Osun
and Nigeria generally. Our country remains in political bondage and we
must set her free.
