Nigeria Content Online

The Independent
National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday announced the
governorship candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN),
Ibikunle Oyelaja Amosun as the winner of the governorship election in
Ogun State.

The Returning
Officer of INEC in the state, Olufemi Balogun said the ACN candidate
scored 377,487 votes to win the contest. His two other major
competitors, Tunji Olurin of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) polled
188,698 while the candidate of Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN), Gboyega
Nasir Isiaka scored 137,051.

Mr Amosun said his victory marked a watershed in the history of the state.

“I accept the
mandate freely given to me at the polls with profound humility, a sense
of responsibility and gratitude to God Almighty and all the good people
of Ogun State,” he said. “The victory is neither for me nor our great
party alone. It is indeed a victory for our state and our people for
their steadfastness and peaceful conduct before and during elections.

“I salute and
extend hands of fellowship to my fellow candidates, particularly my
elder brother, Tunji Olurin and my brother, Gboyega Isiaka and their
respective parties for their gallantry and statesmanship. It is time to
move from politicking and bickering to rapprochement and rebuilding of
our state,” he said.

The announcement
of Mr Amosun as the next governor attracted wild jubilation across the
state, as party supporters and residents trooped out in large numbers
armed with brooms, the symbol of the ACN, to celebrate his victory in
the major streets of the town.

Congratulatory messages

The out-going
governor, Gbenga Daniel in a congratulatory message to his successor,
said “Amosun’s victory actualises the yearning of the people of Ogun
State for change of political platform in the governance of the state.”
Mr Daniel, in a statement signed by his Commissioner for Information
and Orientation, Sina Kawonise also congratulated candidates of the
three parties, ACN, PPN and PDP. The candidate of the PPN, Gboyega
Isiaka also sent a congratulatory message to the governor-elect.

“The challenge to
move Ogun State forward brought all of us into this battle, a winner
must emerge and he has won. For me, politics is just a vehicle to serve
the people and make society better; it is not a do-or-die affair,” he
said. “The wish of the people must be respected and they have spoken
with their votes. I wish Amosun well in the tasking job of making Ogun
State greater than he met it.” Former Ogun State governor and leader of
ACN, Olusegun Osoba described the victory of his party as a clear
testimony that he (Mr Osoba) had been vindicated, just as he added that
he would not interfere in the new administration.

“Politically, God
has vindicated Olusegun Osoba. I cannot ask for anything more from God.
I can assure you that the governor will have the freedom to perform his
functions within the party’s context. There will be no dictation from
anybody. I have no intention of interfering or sitting on the neck of
Mr Amosun,” he said.