The entire communities of Irewole, Isokan and Ayedade Federal Constituency of Osun were on Tuesday agog as the residents, leaders and members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) thronged out en masse to receive Governor Adegboyega Oyetola to their domains.
The loyalists who had besieged the popular Naira and Kobo area of Ikire formally welcomed the Governor to the Constituency with different solidarity songs and praises.
Recall that Governor Oyetola had earlier received a nomination form purchased for him by his political associates to recontest for second term, hence, his statewide consultations to prepare minds of the party loyalists ahead of February 19 party’s governorship primaries.
Receiving the Governor and his entourage to his palace, the Akire of Ikire, Oba Olatunde Falabi, lauded the monumental achievements of the Governor in the last three years, saying he has done well to be returned for second term.
Oba Falabi, who specifically thanked Governor Oyetola for restoring peace to his town after a protracted 34-year royal tussle, declared his unalloyed support for him and his Administration.
He said: “if not for any other reason, we must forever be grateful to you and your Administration for permanently putting an end to royal tussle that lasted for decades.
“Restoring peace to our land is a thing that the people of Ikire and its environs will be forever grateful for in view of what we have experienced so far. We thank God today that, through you, there is relative peace and tranquility.
“We are aware of your monumental achievements in the last three years, and we are confident that you will do more as we continue to support you and your government”, Akire added.
Also, the Alapomu of Apomu, Oba Kayode Adenekan Afolabi, warmly received Mr. Governor and his entourage to his palace. He said his entire kingdom is for him as his subjects are resolute to reciprocate his good gestures.
Oba Afolabi who thanked the Governor for approving his nomination to be the king of the ancient town, said, “Indeed, you deserve a second term because one good turn deserves another.
“Going by your good works, you deserve to be returned to serve for another term. I have confidence in you and your government. Your government made me to be here today.
“If the stool is given to a wrong person, the town won’t be as good as it is today. We know you are conscious of us and you have us at heart. That is why we always give you our support.
“You are for us and we know you will do all we are yearning for. Road has been our challenge and I am very sure that it will be fixed as promised by your Commissioner for Works”, Oba Afolabi added.
Similarly, the Olufi of Gbongan, Oba Adetoyese Oyeniyi, applauded the Governor for fulfilling all the electoral promises made to the people.
Oba Oyeniyi who identified some of the achievements of the Governor in the last three years said the Governor would be overwhelmingly supported for second term.
He said: “You didn’t disappoint us. Recently, you approved the appointment of the Vice Chancellor of Osun State University who is our own. We acknowledge your prompt payment of salaries. You have served with a lot of dedication, not selfishness.
“We are proud of you. You have changed the narrative. We thank you for prioritising social investment programmes that have culminated to monthly food support for the vulnerable citizens.
“You have allayed our fears. We were worried as to how to pay salaries before your emergence. But today, God has made it possible for you. I commend you for your huge investment in security that had brought about relative peace to our state. We don’t have any doubt in you because you have been loyal and committed to our cause.
“We appreciate your swift response to issues, and in the face of provocation you maintain a cool head. You have allowed God to fight for you. I like someone like you to be at the helms of affairs. Despite paucity of funds, you have consistently been doing staff promotion just as you recently recruited new teachers. We are grateful for having a cool-headed Governor and a service- oriented man like you at this time. Things would have been difficult if it was otherwise.”
Addressing the people at Akire, Apomu and Olufi palaces, Governor Oyetola noted that the purpose of the strategic engagement tour was to prepare the minds of the leaders and members of the party towards the forthcoming party’s primaries ahead of the governorship election.
He said the engagement tour was aimed at further strengthening the existing unity among the loyalists of the ruling party, thus exposing them to the necessity to ensure victory for the party in all elections.
“I am very happy to be here today. As you know, our four years is coming to an end, and we deem it necessary to come for your permission and blessings. As we are rounding off the first four years, we are ready to recontest for another four years.
“With God and your support, we believe this is possible. We came purposefully to talk to our party leaders and members so as to formally inform them of our intention to recontest. We were here in 2018 and you prayed for us. Your prayers were in no doubt answered in view of all we went through, particularly the obvious challenges that we conquered.
“We spent like a year on litigation after which Covid-19 pandemic set in and later the EndSARS saga. But despite all these, we were not deterred. We were resolute and committed to conquer and surmount all the challenges.
“I am happy today that we have a lot to point to as our achievements in the state in general and Irewole, Ayedade and Isokan in particular. Be it health sector, infrastructure, education, security and agriculture, we have done well to bring about the desired development and transformation,” he added.
The Governor, who implored members of the party to remain steadfast and resolute, said no effort would be spared to consolidate on the good works that his Administration has commenced.
He urged them to treasure their membership cards and voter cards in preparation for the primaries of the party just as he assured them of all-round victory.
