Oluseye Ojo, Ibadan
Oyo State Governor-elect, Mr. Oluseyi Makinde, on Monday thanked critical stakeholders and the people of the state for electing him, promising that he would not disappoint them when he assumed office on May 29.
Addressing a maiden press conference at his residence in Ikolaba GRA, Ibadan, he noted that the voting pattern clearly showed their dogged determination “in spite of spirited efforts to frustrate you.”
Makinde, an engineer, said: “My good people of Oyo State, God does not act in a vacuum and He has made everything to perfection. And this is the reason why we are gathered here today. We give Him the glory.
“The political struggle of the past few weeks by the people of Oyo State, particularly the elections, which took place on Saturday have been intense. This led to my being elected as governor; May this year reminds me of the Agbekoya struggle of 1968.
“I compare the two historical events because the original Agbekoya struggle of 50 years ago was a peasant revolt that kicked against taxation and tariffs, particularly of farmers by the powers that be.
“In your valour, you stood up against what you perceived to be the mismanagement of your common patrimony brought about by collusion with forces outside of our shores to fleece our treasury, among other obvious misdemeanours.
“Well, there is no need crying over spilled milk; and it is for us to move forward together and for me to fulfill my campaign promises to you in the clear understanding that we will take realistic decisions together because you did not elect me to compensate me for anything. You elected me to fulfill your desire for a better life and God help me. I will not disappoint you.
“You also made it easier for us by voting in the majority of our legislators, which means that we can push through, without much ado, all of our people-oriented policies particularly in critical sectors of education, health and job creation.”
Makinde, however, commended the Osi Olubadan and former governor of the state, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, and members of the opposition coalition movement that supported him to victory.
Meanwhile, the governorship candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for last Saturday’s poll in the state, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, has congratulated Makinde on his electoral victory, saying: “I’m full of gratitude to God and to every single one of you for the journey so far. I offered myself up for service for the good of Oyo State. We ran a campaign that was issue-based and was above board all through and I’m quite proud of that.
“No life is worth being lost for any reason. I sincerely sympathise with the families of the bereaved; may their souls rest in peace.
“My party is studying the incidents of violence and various reported cases of electoral malpractices to determine further course of action if necessary.”
Also, the PDP in the South West under the chairmanship of Dr. Eddy Olafeso, has congratulated Makinde, the good people of Oyo State and the PDP for a well-deserved victory in the keenly- contested governorship poll.
Olafeso, in a statement issued by the Zonal Secretary of PDP in the South West zone, Rev’d Bunmi Jenyo said: “This is indeed credence to the antecedent of Engr. Seyi Makinde and the strong will of Oyo people, who remained undaunted in expressing their relentless support through ballot the for the well-known philanthropist.
“Without an iota of doubt, the Ibadan-born politician shall do the people and PDP proud in the discharge of his duties and responsibilities as the governor of Oyo State, from May 29, 2019.
“Makinde’s disposition to the ideals of a pragmatic political party – PDP, and the masses wellbeing in every nook and cranny of Oyo State must be commended, appreciated and celebrated. The governor-elect must also be applauded for his doggedness, resilience, and focus which serves as the cardinal point for winning at the polls.”