The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has asked 13 of its governors to remain in Osun State from Tuesday, September 18 till the weekend when the winner of the state’s gubernatorial election coming up on Saturday, September 22, is declared.
The governors confirmed this on Tuesday at a mega rally held at the Osogbo Township Stadium, Osogbo, in support of the party’s candidate in the election, Gboyega Oyetola.
The governors present at the rally include Nasir el-Rufai (Kaduna) Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Godwin Obaseki (Edo) and six others from the North and South West.
President Muhammadu Buhari was present at the rally. Also present were former governors, national leaders of the party, National Assembly members, ministers and commissioners. National leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and National Chairman of the party, Adams Oshiomhole, were present.
A mamoth crowd of party supporters including market women, artisans, youths, various groups, itinerary drummers, entertainers and students, were at the rally which was spiced up with Fuji music by King Wasiu Ayinde Marshall 1 (KWAM 1).
On why the governors have decided to remain in the state till Oyetola wins, El-Rufai, speaking on behalf of his colleagues, explained that the because the “incredible work done in very difficult circumstances” by the outgoing governor, Rauf Aregbesola, in the last eight years, must continue in the next dispensation, the governors made up their mind to stay back to support their candidate.
He said: “We are very proud of the achievements of the administration of Governor Rauf Aregbesola, and we are confident that the good people of Osun State will come out en masses to vote for continuity on September 22, 2018. We are confident that the progress of the last eight years will be advanced by voting for APC. So, we will remain here to support the election of Gboyega Oyetola.”
The Kaduna State Governor also thanked Buhari for supporting the states in various ways to meet their obligations, particularly to workers and the very poor in the society. He prayed God to strengthen him to lead Nigeria to the next level.
In his speech, Tinubu said Aregbesola had “committed so much to the radical transformation of the state, especially in education, infrastructural renewal and in helping the vulnerable in the society”.
Addressing the outgoing governor, Tinubu said: “You have done us proud. You will now pass on the baton to another competent, tested trusted Oyetola.”
In the words of Oshiomhole at the rally, “there is no room for apprenticeship in governance. You need an experienced and capable hand. Oyetola is the man”
Credit: newspeakonline.com
