In his acceptance speech, Oyetola said the election was free and fair and thanked the people of Osun State for trusting him with their votes.

He also thanked President Muhammadu Buhari and incumbent governor, Rauf Aregbesola, for creating the atmosphere for a democratic process.

Read his full statement below:

ACCEPTANCE SPEECH BY THE GOVERNOR ELECT OF OSUN, GBOYEGA OYETOLA, AFTER BEING DECLARED WINNER OF THE GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION HELD ON SEPTEMBER 22, 2018

Election into the Office of the Governor of the State of Osun was held on Saturday September 22, 2018, in which I flew the flag of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in a contest with 47 other candidates, representing their different political parties.

From the field report and the tally of the ballots, there was enthusiastic turnout at the polls. The huge number of candidates who vied for the office was unprecedented. Though there were few glitches and challenges here and there, the exercise was satisfactory. We can say there has been substantial compliance with the provisions of the constitution and the Electoral Act.

However, the election was declared inconclusive after the first ballot and a rerun was slated for Thursday September 27, 2018 in seven polling units in Ife North, Ife South, Orolu and Osogbo Local Governments Areas of the State.

This was disappointing. We had enough evidence and field reports, including signed result sheets, from our agents that confirmed that we won outrightly. However, as democrats, we accepted the verdict in good faith and prepared for the rerun.

In the end, I was declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after securing the highest number of votes cast in the election.

This election has been keenly contested, and a clear winner could not emerge until the tail end. Indeed, there was a dramatic twist in the end that kept us all on the edge and made Osun the focus of national and international attention. This is an indication of how democratic, free, fair and transparent the election was.

However, I cannot but observe that the election took place under a much more relaxed and freer atmosphere, compared with the previous elections, particularly the 2014 governorship election, during which the state was put under siege by the then Federal Government.

The democratic environment created by the APC under which this election was held is a clear indication of the great political development that has occurred in the past three years of our party’s administration, under President Muhammadu Buhari.

This election is primarily a victory for democracy, rule of law and due process. It is a victory for the right of every citizen to participate in their own governance which democracy represents.

The victory is an affirmation by the people of Osun in the APC government that has been on the saddle in the past eight years; and the acceptance of our ideology. It is a positive affirmation of our people-friendly policies and the way we have steered the ship of state, even under the most challenging circumstances.

This is ultimately a victory for the people of Osun that have been given a voice and a hope of democratic and responsible leadership.

I will like to commend and congratulate INEC for successfully conducting a free, fair and credible governorship election. I congratulate also our party, the APC, in Nigeria and South West, for its well-deserved victory at the polls, wrapping up the South West states and giving it the opportunity to use the progressive platform it offers for accelerated development of the region. I also congratulate Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, under whom I cut my political teeth and whose tenure was on trial during the election.

I regard the mandate given to me by the good people of Osun as sacred and I am taking it seriously. Of course, I have been part of the new beginning that started eight years ago.

Nevertheless, in continuing the glorious path on which I am now very familiar, it is a new beginning for me. I am committing myself the more to the good governance of Osun and the welfare of the people.

I will run an inclusive and participatory government. I will consult with the party, workers, communities, traditional rulers, the civil society and the people of the state in their heterogeneity. I will engage the youth, tap into their ideas and enable them to unleash their creative energy in a positive way.

I pledge to serve God and humanity and the people of Osun with my whole being, without prejudice to religion, ethnicity, race and ideology.

I will like to thank the Almighty God for His grace and divine enablement upon my life; and for fulfilling His promise to bless the land and people of Osun through me.

I will like to thank our great party, APC, for the overwhelming support given to me all through the campaign and for believing in me. The leadership and members of our party nationally and locally laboured hard for my victory. Our National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, backed me to the hilt. I thank him.

The national campaign committee headed by Governor Umar Ganduje and all the APC governors have my commendations and infinite gratitude.

I will like to express my profound gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari for his invaluable support and for leading a delegation of party and government officials to my campaign. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo did a yeoman’s job. He made several trips to Osun and supported the campaign with all available resources.

My immense gratitude goes to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the leader of leaders, for his selflessness and absolute commitment to my election campaign and for giving his all.

I cannot thank enough Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, who gave me an opportunity to serve and who carried me on his shoulders when the going was tough.

I must thank also the coalition that emerged for the rerun, including Senator Iyiola Omisore of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Osun Alliance of Collaborating Political Parties (ACPP) that wholeheartedly endorsed and supported my candidature.

I thank my lovely wife, Kafayat, and the children for believing in me and supporting me unreservedly. My wife, in particular, gave me the peace of mind and refreshing comfort at home.

I cannot end without thanking every member of my campaign team for their sacrifice, dedication and commitment. It is their victory as well.

I thank all the people of Osun, especially those who believe in our cause and voted for me. It is your victory. I thank our royal fathers, workers, transporters, market women and men.

The security agencies deserve commendation for keeping the peace and for their prompt response to every security challenge before, during and after the election.

I salute members of the media too for their coverage.

Once again, I congratulate and thank all member of APC in Osun for our hard-won victory.

I thank you all for your attention.

Ileri Oluwa ti se.

Osun a dara!



https://www.clintgist.com/osun-governorship-election-read-oyetolas-acceptance-speech-id8912444-html/

hm While I am not in total support of APC govt,PDP is a not an alternative! and I can only wonder why we can't have a breath of fresh air in this country it all recycling.shior

This victory will not last.

Oyetola might never get sworn in sef...

Mark this post with asterisks

Receiver of 'stolen goods'

Democracy is now demo and craze in Naija

PDP is gradually losing states in the west... Seems APC has done their homework

Ajobiewe will be in tears now.

never saw anything to celebrate about the election.

Me be like




:

Where was Fayose, Tambuwal, Wike and Udom during the elections in Osun? These are the heavyweights that could have stormed Osun to change the course of things but they think APC will fold their hands and allow them to win.

Blame APC, Blame Buhari; APC will coast victory in 2019 and PDP will fall and fail because of selfish interests.

Congrats to him

But this guy would have a problem with Rauf concerning the massive debt

Recently I have been noticing the docile nature of Nigerians.. It is obvious that there is a psychological programming agenda going on where they pacify the will of the people to the point that the people develop severe Stockholm syndrome....


We are obviously in love with our captors and those who are opportune to not drink the cool aid like myself... Hold. Limited power to effect any change....

We are left with only to play the waiting game..

It is sure that 2019 will be won by APC regardless of any vote.... Osun is a perfect case study....

If there is one thing I am sure of... I am sure Nigeria will be great one day!

Awol1:
This victory will not last.

Oyetola might never get sworn in sef...

Mark this post with asterisks

Chest beating can’t do it. It has never done it.

Awol1:
This victory will not last.
Oyetola might never get sworn in sef...
Mark this post with asterisks

Eyah! Cry, my brother. Cry your eyes out.

Oshey shaproper governor, may your reign be nice to all.

congrats on your ill-gotten position.

Poverty don affect the judgement of most Nigerians.

I can't blame them though and neither should anyone who is not selfish enough to view things from his own angle only.

Pikin dey house wey never chop
Bills dey berekete
Hunger dey the land

And someone came from nowhere to give you money to vote for his party, you don't need to think much before you collect the money and take care of that hunger.

If apc paid for vote, why can't pdp double the pay?

To be honest, this man will not govern the state for long. Asides the fact that he may not have a conscience, it is possible that there will be severe clashes in those troubled areas where they were robbed of their mandate in the very near future. They have launched the TIME BOMB. Everyone should watch the explosion from a safe distance.

I never knew Osun was a state in Nigeria

Awol1:
This victory will not last.

Oyetola might never get sworn in sef...

Mark this post with asterisks

Shut up loser

Fraudulent declaration. APC God will judge your evil ways

Awol1:
This victory will not last.
Oyetola might never get sworn in sef...
Mark this post with asterisks

"bro e dey pain u��?
coz u dey vex...

it isn't your fault! it's fate, what will be will be!
Welcome to another era of four years non payment of salaries! you asked for it! you'll surely get it in 100 folds

Aplaudez:
it isn't your fault! it's fate, what will be will be!
Welcome to another era of four years non payment of salaries! you asked for it! you'll surely get it in 100 folds

Eyah! See as the matter pain you.

s

Awol1:
This victory will not last.

Oyetola might never get sworn in sef...

Mark this post with asterisks

LOL. e pain am.

Awol1:
This victory will not last.

Oyetola might never get sworn in sef...

Mark this post with asterisks

watch your tongue.

huh

Dhortunn:
To be honest, this man will not govern the state for long. Asides the fact that he may not have a conscience, it is possible that there will be severe clashes in those troubled areas where they were robbed of their mandate in the very near future. They have launched the TIME BOMB. Everyone should watch the explosion from a safe distance.

You are absolutely rightt. This man will not last in office. In a matter of days, APC-sponsored police and military will withdraw to their barracks. I foresee inevitable crises in Osun, very soon.

May the blood of those who died in the last 8 years as a result of Aregbe-induced hunger, the blood of those who died during this election as a result of Buhari, thrief.nubu and Oshi-omo-ole's militarised election and Omishore's inordinate greed, continue to cry for vengeance to God on the heads of Buhari, Thief.nubu, Aregbesola, Oshi-omo-ole and Omisore.

They can't subject Osun to another four years of hardship, slavery, poverty and hunger, and yet expect that their actions will go unpunished.

Their descendants will NEVER know peace

Ram