•Governor calls for calm •Buhari: outcome Osun people’s will•Abdulsalami panel decries vote-buying
There was jubilation yesterday in Ede, home town of the Osun State Governor-elect Senator Ademola Adeleke, and other major towns across the state, following his victory at the weekend poll.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, who was declared winner by the Independent national Electoral Commission (INEC), polled 403,371 votes to defeat Governor Gboyega Oyetola of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), who got 375,027 votes.
Residents trooped out to celebrate with traditional drums and brigade bands, singing and dancing at his residence.
Excited youths and women groups stormed the palace of the traditional ruler, the Timi of Ede, Oba Muniruden Lawal, to congratulate him and his chiefs.
Many people on motorcycles and open roof vehicles moved round the town to celebrate the victory.
Adeleke has hailed the outcome of the poll, which took place in 30 local government areas of the state.
In his acceptance speech at his Ede country home, he dedicated the victory to the memory of his deceased elder brother and former governor, Senator Isiaka Adeleke.
The PDP National Chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, said the outcome of the poll will determine next year’s general elections.
President Muhammadu Buhari has also congratulated the governor-elect, stressing that the wish of the electorate should be respected in democracy.
But, Oyetola in his reaction to the verdict, called for calm among his supporters, saying that the party will react at the appropriate time. He said the results were being studied by the ruling party.
Adeleke said he was overwhelmed by the love and support of the electorate.
He pledged his total commitment to the best interest of the people and the state, saying: “I give praise and adoration to Almighty”.
Adeleke added: “I praise the courage and determination of the good people of Osun state. I commend men and women of goodwill, the young and the old.
“I am overwhelmed by your love and support.
“Our state has turned a new page. We have launched a landmark path for progress and prosperity of our people.
“It is therefore, with strong faith in God and trust in our people that I accept my election as the Governor of Osun state.
“I pledge my total commitment to the best interest of the state and the people.”
He added: “I dedicate this victory to my late brother, His Execllency, Sen. Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke, and every indigene of Osun state, and to all my supporters and friends”.
Oba Lawal, who spoke with reporters, thanked the people for electing Adeleke.
He said: “My feelings cannot be expressed because it happened so sudden but we thank God for the victory.
“I am happy because our son is now the governor-elect and we thank God for that.”
The traditional ruler, however, described Adeleke’s victory as a victory for the whole state and not for Ede alone, adding: “It is a victory for the whole people of Osun because he had a wide spread of votes across the state.
“It is not only votes from Ede alone that gave him the victory, but the synergy between the people of the state that brought him to power”.
Buhari congratulates Osun people
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, President Buhari noted that the outcome of the election had expressed their choice of whom they wanted to lead them.
The President noted that the successful conduct of the election was a testimonial to the maturity and commitment of all stakeholders.
He said: “President Muhammadu Buhari congratulates Senator Ademola Adeleke, candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), following victory of the party in Saturday’s gubernatorial election in Osun State.
“With the election over, the President expresses conviction that the people of Osun have expressed their will through the ballot, and the will of the people must always matter and be respected in a democracy.
“President Buhari notes that the successful conduct of the election is a further testimony to the maturity and commitment of all stakeholders – the electoral body, security agencies, political parties, the media, civil society and the electorate- to further strengthen the integrity of the electoral process in the country.
“The President reassures the nation that the commitment of this administration towards having credible elections remains unshaken.”
Oyetola to supporters: be calm
Oyetola appealed to his supporters to remain calm, saying that the results were being studied.
He said in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Ismail Omipidan, in Osogbo, the state capital, that APC had taken cognisance of the results.
The governor, however, noted that the party would be responding appropriately after studying the results and consulting with critical stakeholders.
Oyetola, who called on his supporters to remain calm, urged the people to go about their businesses without let or hindrance.
The governor also called on security operatives to ensure maintenance of law and order.
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