Senator Ademola Adeleke, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who won last Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State has been presented with his certificate of return.
The certificate was presented at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) state office, Osogbo on Wednesday.
Presenting the certificate, INEC’s National Commissioner supervising Osun, Ogun and Oyo states, Prof. Kunle Ajayi said the presentation was in consonance with Sec 72 (1) of the 2022 Electoral Act.
He congratulated the Governor and Deputy Governor elect on their victory and commended the people of Osun state for their peaceful conduct during the election.
He said: “I would like to first commend and congratulate the good people of Osun state for the peaceful way and manner in which they conducted themselves in during the just concluded Governorship Election.
“The voter turnout was very impressive and there was no major electoral violence recorded anywhere.
“In consonance with the provision of sec 72 (1) of the 2022 electoral act which mandates INEC to issue a sealed certificate of return to the governor elect and deputy Governor elect within 14 days after declaration of results by the returning Officer, the results were declared nearly 72 hours”.
Responding, the Osun state Governor elect, Senator Ademola Adeleke, also thanked the people of Osun state and lauded their peaceful conduct during the election.
He said his victory would not have been possible if not for the hard work of his supporters and the love of the people of the Osun.
His words: “This victory would not have been possible but for the goodwill of the patriotic men, young and old who worked hard to make sure we reclaimed our stolen mandate.
“I am overwhelmed by your love and support and I do not take this trust you have bestowed on me for granted.
“Our state has now turned to a new page and we can now look forward to a bright future and a path for progress and prosperity for our people.
“I dedicate this victory to my late brother, the first executive governor of Osun state, His excellency, Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke and every indigene of Osun state and to all my supporters, friends and family”.
Earlier, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Osun State, Prof. Abdulganiy Raji, had commended the people of the state for the positive values they displayed during the election.
Raji who lauded the security agencies for their professionalism before, during and after the election, also charged Nigerians to emulate Osun people.
The REC urged all Nigerians including leaders and members of political parties to imbibe the culture of doing the right thing at the right time in order that the nation’s democracy might grow.
He said: “Osun state gubernatorial election has come and gone but I need to reiterate this point that our democracy will be stronger if we come together to do the right thing at the right time and for the people who are actually the beneficiary of the democracy.
“This include campaigning with fulfillable promises, modelling positive attitude and behavior while in office, fulfilling campaign promises, doing away with money politics; electorates are not asking for too much, just basic amenities to make everyday life easy.
“Enthronement of internal democracy within the political parties, abiding by the steps will not only make life easy for INEC, it will also ensure hitch free electoral processes”, he added.
Recall that Senator Ademola Adeleke had defeated incumbent governor, Adegboyega Oyetola in Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State with a total vote of 403,371 while Oyetola polled 375, 027 votes.
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