Guard Democracy Jealously For The Development Of Nigeria, Aregbesola Tells Nigerians In State Broadcast

Against the backdrop of the recently concluded general elections, the Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has called on Nigerians to guard democracy jealously for the development of the country.
The governor made this appeal during a broadcast in Osun titled, “‎Watering the tree of democracy with love and determination” on Sunday.
He commended the people of Osun for their conduct before, during and after the elections, saying Osun is among states in the country that recorded few incidents during the period of elections.
The governor also noted that the people of the state in no small measure contributed to the emergence of the President-elect, Alhaji Muhammadu Buhari, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to him, “The pattern, shape and the result are indications of your diligent planting and nurture of the tree of democracy in the past 16 years; and the buds of its early fruits.
“Election is now assuming its true definition as political empowerment for the people. With your voter’s card, you now determine those who rule over you and make laws for the government of the country and your state.
“This is the most critical first test of democracy since 1999, a free and fair election in which the people choose their leaders, and you have passed it in flying colours.
“I congratulate you for this historic achievement. What we need to do now is to guard it jealously and build on this solid foundation the superstructure of productivity, development, security and life more abundant for all”. The governor emphasised.
‎Aregbesola stated that for Osun to be aligning with other progressive states to vote for a progressive president, the state has helped to realise the dream of Chief Obafemi Awolowo by setting the country on an unstoppable path of greatness.
He reiterated that his government in Osun will be a people-centred government that will provide security, jobs and good life for the people.
The governor assured the people of the state that the president-elect will put the wealth of the nation to use and develop Nigeria to an enviable height among the committee of Nations.
He said, “Let me congratulate the winners for their deserved victory and the losers for keen sportsmanship and belief in the democratic system.
“In a free and fair contest, a winner must emerge. The winners therefore should regard the mandate given to them as sacred and serve their people with honour and integrity, knowing that in four years’ time, they will be required to give account of their stewardship.
“The losers too should be gallant and take seriously the reasons why they were not preferred by the voters and use the next four years to do their homework in the hope that they will have a better outing at the next round of elections,” he noted.
‎The governor expressed regrets that some candidates in the bid to gain unfair advantage or manipulate the outcome had to unleash violence on the people.
Aregbesola noted that the reports of violence and malpractices before, during and after the election, no matter how small, shall be revisited, saying that those that have breached the laws of the land will be brought to justice.

“My heartfelt condolences go to the families of the bereaved. We are building a peaceful new nation characterised by law and order, where every life is sacred and where safety of lives and property is guaranteed.

“This new nation has no place for violence, brigandage, cheating, injustice and impunity. More importantly, no one will get into any elective office through cheating, violence, intimidation, thuggery and manipulation”.