Governor Gboyega Oyetola of Osun says the All Progressives Congress (APC) will win the state’s gubernatorial election on July 16 by a wide margin.
According to him, winning his re-election is consolidating his achievements in the last three and a half years.
The governor said this during an engagement meeting with the state chapter of the Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) in Osogbo on Sunday.
However, represented by his special adviser on civic engagement, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, the governor called on the electorate not to be fooled by desperate politicians.
Mr. Oyetola, who said he has been serving the state diligently since the beginning of his administration, said that those who lack administrative capacity should not be allowed to thwart the development process in the state.
The governor said he was optimistic of winning the election by a wide margin.
He said his party was primed and ready to secure his victory through the support of the electorate.
“My wish is to win the elections on July 16 well, even if it is with a wide margin.
“The electorate is on my side; my achievements are there to speak for me and God is willing to crown my efforts,” she said.
However, Oyetola called on the electorate to resist the temptation to sell their votes.
He said they shouldn’t allow those who bragged about winning elections with dollars and euros to sabotage their future with peanuts.
“I want to call on the electorate to resist the temptation to sell their votes to desperate politicians.
“Osun is not for sale, nor are the people of the state for sale. Those who boast of dollars to win elections have nothing to offer.
“They are just desperate for power with nothing tangible to offer the state; we must not allow them to have access to our treasure,” he said.
Oyetola assured that he will not renege on his campaign promises, adding that the general welfare of the masses will remain his top priority.
“My second term will be for service, more than ever. I won’t regret it because that’s why I’m the governor.
“The well-being of the masses, the timely payment of workers’ salaries and pensions, empowerment, youth participation, improvement of the economy, health and education, among others, will not stop,” he said.
Mr. Oyetola urged the electorate to use their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCS) to ensure victory for him and APC to continue the good work they have been doing.
The governor also warned politicians against violence, adding that the election should not be seen as a matter of life and death.
Oyetola said that anyone caught perpetrating violence before, during and after the election will be dealt with according to the law.
“Osun is known for peace and we must not allow anything, not even the elections, to truncate the peaceful environment.
“The election should not be seen as a matter of life and death, but as a way to serve humanity.
“I call on all political gladiators in Osun to respect the rules of the election for the sake of peace.
“Anyone who is caught causing violence, no matter how high their position, will be dealt with by security agencies,” he said.
However, the governor said his administration would continue to support farmers with necessary farm supplies and implements.
Oyetola said his government had earmarked 1,000 hectares of land for agriculture to boost food sufficiency and make the state the food basket of the Southwest.
The initiative, according to him, is to rejuvenate the agricultural sector by making it more attractive and productive for farmers, especially young people.
In his words, the president of AFAN in the state, Suleiman Araokanmi, congratulated the governor for his various interventions in the agricultural sector of the state.
However, Araokanmi called on the government to provide more agricultural inputs to farmers to improve food production.
He also promised his association’s support for the governor’s candidacy for re-election.
(YAYA)