AUGUST 10,2014
ELECTORAL VICTORY SPEECH BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF OSUN, HIS EXCELLENCY, RAUF AREGBESOLA
DEMOCRATIC VICTORY OVER THE TYRANNY OF POWER

After an unnecessarily tense, tortuous and even traumatic process, the Independent National Electoral Commission this morning declared me as the winner of the Osun state governorship election on the platform of the All Progressive Congress (APC). On behalf of my party, we are delighted to claim victory for our hard work, focus and dedication in this election. I thank the Almighty God for our triumph at the polls, against all odds.

To the good people of State of State goes our unflinching gratitude. We salute your steadfastness, courage, loyalty, commitment and fierce determination to defend your sovereign rights and the integrity of our nascent democracy. You have demonstrated in this election that in a democracy, power truly belongs to the people. I am humbled and honoured by your trust and abiding faith in me and my party. I pledge that your confidence in us shall never be betrayed or taken for granted.

Ordinarily, this should be a moment of joy and celebration consequent upon the hard earned triumph of the people’s will. However, this election shows that democracy is still gravely endangered in Nigeria. We witnessed gross abuse of power and, of due process before, during, and even after the actual voting process. It is so sad and unfortunate that what should be a normal, routine process was maliciously allowed to snowball in to a needless virtual war by the Federal Government and the PDP.

The State of Osun was unduly militarized in an unprecedented manner through criminal intimidation and psychological assault on our people. This election witnessed an abuse of our security agencies and amounted to a corruption of their professional ethics and integrity.
The security agencies were unprofessionally utilized in Osun state to harass, intimidate and oppress the people whose taxes are used to pay their salaries and provide their arms. Hundreds of leaders, supporters, sympathizers and agents of our party were arrested and detained. Also, hundreds of other innocent citizens including women and the aged were harassed, brutalized and traumatized. In spite of this condemnable repression and abuse of human rights, the unflagging spirit of our people triumphed.

Our victory is due to the steadfastness and resolute determination of our people to assert and defend their rights. The PDP obviously did all it could in a most desperate manner to steal the people’s mandate. A critical analysis of the elections shows a trend of general low voter turnout largely because of the atmosphere of deliberate tyranny and fear caused by the excessive militarization of the state. Despite our victory, it is pertinent to condemn and also point out the fact that the number of accredited voters in most local governments was less than half of registered voters. Against this trend, it is curious that the bulk of the PDP candidate’s votes came from only four Local Governments- namely Ife Central, Ife East, Ife North and Ife South. This suggests an inexplicable large turnout in his stronghold which is a curious departure from the general trend of voting across the state.

The outcome of this election, once again, shows the unswerving determination of our people to ensure that democracy triumphs in Nigeria. We have sent a strong signal to all and sundry that no might is powerful enough to thwart the will of the people. This should always strengthen our resolve to ensure that as from now on, every vote must not only be counted but must count in this country. Nobody or party must ever exercise power unreasonably at any level except in accordance with the will of the people to whom sovereignty belongs.

Let me assure the good people of Osun state that I appreciate that this victory is a reward for our hard work and commitment to the welfare of our people. I promise that we shall not rest on our oars but shall be spurred to work even harder with all well meaning people of the State of Osun and the generality of Nigerians to continue to enjoy your trust and support. You can be assured that we will leave no stone unturned in our continued effort to transform Osun into a land of progress, prosperity and peace for all with renewed fervour. I realize that this victory and the challenges we went through is a call to greater service and sustained commitment to our people. I pledge a rededication of myself to the service of our people and the strengthening of democratic values in Osun and Nigeria generally. Our country remains in political bondage and we must set her free.

Long Live The Governor
Congrat to Osun

Nice, God pass every political intimidation

The State of Osun was unduly militarized in an unprecedented manner through criminal intimidation and psychological assault on our people. This election witnessed an abuse of our security agencies and amounted to a corruption of their professional ethics and integrity.
The security agencies were unprofessionally utilized in Osun state to harass, intimidate and oppress the people whose taxes are used to pay their salaries and provide their arms. Hundreds of leaders, supporters, sympathizers and agents of our party were arrested and detained. Also, hundreds of other innocent citizens including women and the aged were harassed, brutalized and traumatized. In spite of this condemnable repression and abuse of human rights, the unflagging spirit of our people triumphed.

Aregbe is the Governor-Elect of Osun State while Omisoro is the Governor-Elect of Ile-Ife. An Engineer always over a Tout! #Osunpeoplehavespoken #APC

Dual party power tussle improves credibility.

Congrat.

[size=50pt]THEY FAILED [/size]

nice

[img]http://bioreports.net/wp-content/themes/goodnews45/framework/scripts/timthumb.php?src=http://bioreports.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/RAUF.jpg&h=449&w=599&zc=1[/img]

[size=14pt]Omo mehn, dis man swags too badt....badoo of life![/size]

[size=14pt]Congratulobia RAUF!!![/size]

I need to ask my mum why Aregbesola has our surname in his name "abdulrauf"

maybe we share the same family background

.When they win, Its free and fair, when they loose, Its rigging..Bunch of propagandist..

Well written out speech. God bless you and the people of Osun state.

Let no one make the mistake of crediting GEJ for any free and fair thing about this election. They actually committed grave crimes and tried to upturn the people's wish but for sheer determination of the electorates.

Kudos to you all in Osun especially those who voted for Aregbe for turning out en mass and standing for the truth.

Gradually, Nigeria will be delivered from the claws of the tyrant called PDP.

great

up apc!!!!!!!! shame on jonathan.

Obanikoro should be rechristened Minister of defense for Electoral Manipulation

Nice speech though. Very nice. Bold enough to condemn evil even though he has already won.

congrats! APC All d way. This is just d beginin of our victory. Jonathan wat do u v to say?

Aradite Professional Chatterbox!

Congrats sir.#GEJtill2019#sign.

Simply beautiful!

Edwardhead: I need to ask my mum why Aregbesola has our surname in his name "abdulrauf"

maybe we share the same family background

sharp guy

Voice of the people

What God Has Put Together ...... Man Of The People #no rice needed

OGBENI !!!

toluk: .When they win, Its free and fair, when they loose, Its rigging..Bunch of propagandist..

That's the Nigerian way of playing politics. Losers Neva accept defeat.

Ogbeni Aregbesola we appreciate u

Damn!! It's obvious that Aregbe is loved by the inhabitants of Osun state. Omisore dug his own grave by even thinking of contesting against AregbeRascal. See the celebration and pandemonium caused by Aregbe's victory. PDP can't even contest the results. The masses have spoken.

Up APC! Remaining the presidential election that mushroom in the Aso rock will be uprooted.

[size=14pt]Who God don bless, No man can CURSE! [/size]

[size=13pt]No one knows Tomorrow![/size]