- Tells opposition to join in building a new Osun State
Following the last gubernatorial and legislative houses election, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has delivered 25 of the existing 26 House of Assembly seats to his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Official results from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) showed that the PDP swept all but one of the 26 legislative seats in the state.
The victory, which is unmatched in the political history of the state, is a clear indication of the huge goodwill that Governor Adeleke enjoys with Osun people.
The landslide victory is also coming barely three weeks after Adeleke delivered the highest number of votes to PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar. The party also showed its undiluted dominance of the political space in Osun State by winning all three senatorial seats and all nine House of Representatives seats during the February 25 presidential and National Assembly elections, leaving none for the rival All Progressives Congress (APC).
Since taking over the leadership of the state on November 27, Governor Adeleke’s impressive rating with the Osun populace has continued to soar.
Analysts believe that the back-to-back victories of the PDP in the elections held in the state is a further affirmation of the unflinching bond between Osun people and Governor Adeleke.
“The clear message that the two recent elections held in Osun conveyed was that Governor Adeleke is well accepted by the people of the state,” Yinka Sanni, a public affairs commentator noted. “Osun people have repeatedly spoken and in all, Governor Adeleke is who they stood with.”
Another public commentator, Mayowa Taiwo, said the people of Osun have spoken loud enough for all to hear, adding that it is increasingly difficult for the people’s voice to be ignored.
“In the two consecutive elections held in Osun, the people were firm in emphasizing their choice in Adeleke, because if you follow the trend well enough, you will know that the victories recorded by the PDP can be credited to him,” Taiwo noted. “The electorate voted PDP overwhelmingly in all the elections. It was like revalidating their faith in Adeleke.”
Echoing this sentiment in a “Thank You” message to Osun State voters, Governor Adeleke wrote: ”My good people of Osun state, you have honoured me and my party with another remarkable victory at the assembly elections.
“You have passed an excellent vote of confidence in my administration and my party by a series of electoral mandates in the last three elections.
“I went round the state with my scorecard under 100 days and you responded by endorsing my party’s candidates for legislative offices.
” You listened to my request for assembly members of my party who will work with me to deliver our five-point agenda.
”Your trust in me to deliver on our election promises has been expanded and strengthened. Your verdict on my performance is loud and clear.
”You have approved of our people-focused governance and our demonstrated will to resolve all outstanding challenges inherited from the previous administration.”
Adeleke however called on members of the opposition to join him to build a new Osun state. He said: ”To my brothers and sisters in opposition, I extend hands of fellowship and brotherhood. Join me to build a new Osun state.
“Support the will of the people as repeatedly demonstrated in the last three elections, as genuine democrats have no power except what the people will. I urge all lovers of democracy to enter the Imole train.
“Osun people need all, within and outside her political class, to unite for state development.”
