Obanikoro congratulates Aregbesola, says victory deserved

The Minister of State for Defense, Musiliu Obanikoro, has congratulated the winner of Saturday’s governorship election in Osun, Rauf Aregbesola. Mr. Obanikoro, a leader of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, said Mr. Aregbesola of the All Progressives Congress, APC, deserved the victory. “His re-election is a confirmation of the goodwill he enjoys among the people of Osun State,” he said. The minister, who was highly castigated by the APC for allegedly using the military as a tool of coercion in the build up to the election, commended the role of the military and other security agencies during the election. Read his full statement below. I congratulate the good people of Osun State for once again re-affirming the will of democracy by their exceptional conduct during the just concluded gubernatorial elections. The people of Osun State have consolidated our hope in a democracy where violence-free elections are allowed to thrive. I enjoin all other citizens of our great country to emulate them as we prepare for another round of general elections early next year. I also wish to congratulate the winner, His Excellency Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola for his victory at the polls. His re-election is a confirmation of the goodwill he enjoys among the people of Osun State. My brother Senator Iyiola Omisore deserves great commendation for fighting a good fight. His rare display of maturity and sportsmanship throughout the period of the campaign and the election is worthy of emulation. History will be kind to him. I salute the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and particularly, our Military and other security forces for their professional conduct which ensured a peaceful, free and fair election in Osun State. But for the efforts of our Military in Osun State, the elections could have been marred by violence. The tireless effort of INEC officials and our security forces in ensuring a credible outcome of the Osun election pays glowing tributes to President Goodluck Jonathan’s strong and consistent commitment to free, fair, and peaceful elections.