By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja
Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Allhaji Atiku Abubakar, elected governors of the party and National Chairman of the party, Dr Iyorchia Ayu have lauded the victory of Senator Ademola Adeleke as the governor-elect of Osun State.
Atiku specifically said that with the victory of the PDP governorship candidate in the Saturday’s election in Osun, illumination has come to the state
While congratulating Sen. Ademola Adeleke on what he called a “well-fought victory, the former Vice President equally felicitated with the PDP family and all stakeholders who came together “to make this sweet victory possible”.
Atiku stated that the referendum on the administration of the APC has commenced with the verdict of the people of Osun State in electing Senator Ademola Adeleke, while we know that the 2023 general election will be a full referendum.
The PDP Governors’ Forum, PDP-GF, on it’s part, said that the fact that the Osun people reposed their trust and confidence in Sen. Ademola Adeleke, the Governor-elect of the State of Osun, is because they could see his heart, which is full of love and concern for the wellbeing of his people.
Similarly, Ayu, in a statement personally signed by him, poured encomium on the PDP National Campaign Council for the Osun State Governorship Election, headed by HE Gov. Duoye Diri, for a superlative performance.
He thanked the Vice Presidential Candidate of the party, Governor Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa for tireless work.
Atiku, in his statement titled, “the ship of hope is already at the harbour”, said, “I have always had affection for the people of Osun State for obvious reasons. Yes, my wife hails from there, but if you have to walk a difficult path and you need men and women of courage and astute valour, the people of Osun will never be a disappointment.
“At this point in time when our country needs to take a break from the shameful effects of bad governance, it shall be on record that Osun State provided the compass into that brighter future that awaits us at the horizon.
“The referendum on the administration of the APC has commenced with the verdict of the people of Osun State in electing Senator Ademola Adeleke, while we know that the 2023 general election will be a full referendum.
“It is inconceivable that Nigerians will reward the APC for the failings of the last seven years. And in a state like Osun, for example, it’s been a long time since the people last felt the effect of good governance.
_The ship of hope is already at the harbour under the umbrella of the Peoples Democratic Party.
“We shall intensify the work to ensure that we uproot all vestiges of bad governance and false hopes towards the 2023 election.
“The Imole (light) that has started to shine from Osun shall soon have a national coverage.
“One more good thing about the victory in Osun is that it has provided a catalyst for the PDP to see the opportunity when the party works together in unity.
“The work to bring the PDP together is a work in progress and the good news is that we are steadily making progress.
“As you wake up the morning after (Sunday, the 17th of July, 2022), you may be assured that you are doing so with the illumination that has come to Osun. Congratulations to Sen. Ademola Adeleke, on a well-fought victory.
“Also, hearty congratulations to the PDP family and all stakeholders who came together to make this sweet victory possible.
“But even more importantly, congratulations to the great people of Osun State for proving that power truly belongs to the people.
“The march to reclaim Nigeria’s greatness has begun and it shall not stop until we achieve the goal of one people, one future and one country”, Atiku said.
In their own statement, signed by the Chairman of PDP-GF, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, they said, “That Osun people reposed their trust and confidence in Sen. Ademola Adeleke, the Governor-elect of the State of Osun, is because they could see his heart, which is full of love and concern for the wellbeing of his people.
“He concentrated on issues that mattered most to Osun people and they responded in kind, bestowing on him and PDP an *earth-shaking* victory of historic proportions.
“This victory is a lesson for all. It shows that everyone matters in politics, particularly the *electorate*. It also confirms the famous dictum that ‘God’s time is the best’.
“We must remain vigilant and anticipate all the antics the dying All Progressives Congress (APC) will come up with. But rest assured that we are all with you in this great effort to reset the trajectory and story of Nigeria, positively.
“The light has shone on Osun State, in July. It is time for the light to shine on Nigeria, again through the instrumentality of the PDP, come February, 2023.
“We must also congratulate the PDP family led by the Chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu and his team who ensured a credible primary.
“The PDP Presidential and Vice-Presidential candidates must be applauded for their leadership role. “Perhaps, a gold medal should be reserved for Sen. Douye Diri, Bayelsa State Governor, who served as Chairman of the National Campaign Council and other PDP Governors and stalwarts who played various roles that culminated in this great outcome.
