… We remain the party to beat, Oyetola declares
It was a carnival-like event decorated with pump and circumstance as chieftains and members of the Osun Chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, thronged out in large number to welcome the Governor of the State, Adegboyega Oyetola, who was returning to the State after the just-concluded Special Convention and Presidential Primary of the ruling party in Abuja.
Governor Oyetola who landed at the Akure Airport was given a tumultuous welcome on his way to Osogbo by the party’s loyalists.
The party’s faithful who wielded brooms and posters of the Governor assembled and awaited the arrival of the Governor at Owena-Ijesa, Ipetu-Ijesa, Erin-Oke, Ilesa, Idominasi, Kajola and Osogbo to receive the Governor as part of the celebration of the emergence of Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the party’s presidential primary election.
Oyetola who adorned white attire with a customised face-cap that carries the logo of the newly-elected APC Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, expressed gratitude to his supporters and loyalists of the party, saying the rousing welcome was a testament to the fact that they are solidly behind him and the party.
He called on them to remain steadfast and resolute in the collective quest to move the party forward and ensure all-round success in all the forthcoming elections.
Oyetola, who assured the party’s faithful of better days ahead, said the emergence of Senator Tinubu as the party’s standard bearer was a clear manifestation of good things for Nigerians.
The Governor enjoined them not to relent but rather double their efforts to form a united front and work assiduously to ensure victory for the party in the July 16 Osun governorship election and next year’s general elections.
He said the time has come for every citizen of voting age to get registered and collect his or her voter card to afford him or her the opportunity to vote as this would go a long way to enhance the winning chances of the party.
“I am very happy to see you in large number. Your large turnout is an indication of the fact that our party is atop. I have come home with good tidings from Abuja. We have gone, we have seen and we have conquered. Asiwaju’s victory is victory for all. As you can see, this is our victory. It is a victory for Osun, southwest and indeed Nigeria and Nigerians.
“We must commend President Muhammadu Buhari for allowing a free, fair, credible and transparent process of selecting the flag-bearer of our party. It is to his credit that everything went well without manipulation. I must equally commend the Governors from the North for standing by all of us and for ensuring that the party’s flag-bearer is chosen from the South.
“For the first time, we have seen the Northern Governors supporting the shift of the choice of the flag-bearer from the North to the South. And I must commend our delegates, particularly those from Osun, for performing wonderfully and for not allowing themselves to be bought over by anyone. They did excellently well and they didn’t allow themselves to be compromised.
“We all know what Asiwaju did in Lagos State. We all know how he turned the State to mega city and commercial nerve centre of the country. This is what he is going to replicate when elected as President. Our time has come and we stand to gain a lot from this. Let’s remain united and work in unison for the success of our party. APC remains the party to beat here in Osun and at the centre.
“Our own time has come and we must do everything to make it a reality. It is time for us to give our very best support to the man of the moment and the best way to do this is to form a formidable frontier that will coast us to victory and pull down permanently every element of the opposition.
“I want to remind you of July 16. Our governorship election is in a matter days. Please do your best to ensure that you renew your mandate. I am here to serve you better. I have no other reason to be here than to serve you and I want to assure you that we will do better than what we have done. This is just the beginning.
“I want to assure you that we will continue with our programmes and policies that have impacted the people. We are people’s government, we don’t have any other reason being here than to serve you. Please continue to support us and don’t be deceived by those people going around promising heaven and earth. I don’t have a jet to buy for anybody but I have the capacity to move Osun to the highest level of development. Please support our administration. Don’t be bought over by anybody. You are men and women of honour and you are known for Omoluabi ethos.
“I want to enjoin our party members who have not collected their PVCs to do so. No party member is useful to the party if he or she does not have his or her PVC. Let’s go and obtain our PVCs and start spreading the gospel of the modest achievements of our administration in the last three and a half years. Our party is the party to beat at all times. Let us reunite ourselves and work for a common goal”, Oyetola said.
