The paramount ruler of Ibadan, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, has congratulated the re-elected governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, on his victory, describing it as a reward for his keeping faith in his covenant with the people of the state.
Oba Balogun made the remark in his reaction to the result of the gubernatorial election which returned Makinde as the winner, in a statement by his Personal Assistant (Media), Oladele Ogunsola, which was made available to journalists in Ibadan, on Sunday.
The paramount ruler noted that the election result was a verdict of the confidence of the people in the governor and which he earned through his service to the people in his first term, asking him not to take the support for granted in his second term; but to work harder so that the people of the state would not feel disappointed.
He asserted that there is always the tendency for second-timers lethargic because there is nothing to aspire for again but implored Makinde to cast his mind back to some of the issues raised as criticisms by his opponents during the electioneering campaigns and do something about them, saying not all of them were political propaganda or mere attempts to demarket him and his administration, but very germane and crucial to good governance.
“Let the generality of the people of the state remain your focus in the emerging new dispensation and in doing that play less emphasis on party politics. Keep open arms and embrace all for the overall growth and development of the state. You can’t do all, but, let it be said of you at the end of another four years that you did your possible best and let the people of the state remain proud of the choice made in you,” the Olubadan advised.
While praying for a successful tenure for the re-elected governor, the monarch called for the support of all and sundry for him with a charge that with the conclusion of the elections, politics should take the back seat while all hands must be on deck for a more prosperous state irrespective of political party affiliation because the state belongs to all and must be placed far above individual and personal interests.
Oba Balogun also praised the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), for the peaceful conduct of the election, noting that the agency did a yeoman’s job for dousing the already mounting tension ahead of the election by placing patriotism and professionalism above every other considerations in the discharge of the sacred duty, which he said caught the admiration of all.
Olusola Akintonde
