Following the declaration of Engr. Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the governor-elect of Oyo State, Engr. Oyedele Hakeem Alao (OHA) also known as ‘Allow Alao’ of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) has congratulated him.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the state on Sunday evening declared Makinde as the winner of the gubernatorial election in which Engr. Alao was also a contestant.
In a statement personally signed by the AD gubernatorial candidate and made available to our reporter on Monday in which he also thanked his supporters across the state, he charged the governor-elect to keep his promise of better life for the people of the state, a promise said to be very close to his heart.
Alao, who expressed gratitude to the Almighty God for the success of the poll in spite of pockets of violence that rocked the state called on Makinde not to be overwhelmed by the enormity of problems he would inherit from the outgoing government, but to remain focused and determined.
According to him, “this is a defining moment for this state. It is incumbent upon the governor-elect to seize the opportunity and put smiles on the faces of the distraught people of the state. It is gladdening to note the generational change the election of Makinde has brought to the state.
“The governor-elect owes it a duty to the state in general not to allow the confidence reposed in him by the people to be a misplaced one and to our generation to prove our capability through scintillating performance in office. With that, the space will be opened up for others in our generation and those coming behind”, he further charged.
Alao asked the governor-elect not to hesitate to seek for his input at any point for the good of the people of the state, saying, “I’m ready to offer my assistance to the incoming administration just to ensure that our people get the best of services and the success of the incoming government”.
The AD gubernatorial candidate in the election in his message of appreciation to his supporters, including the monarchs, religious leaders, unionists among others and party faithful across the state said he had taken his defeat in good faith and charged them to put the election behind them and look forward.
He also called on them to support the incoming government as development, growth and progress cannot thrive in acrimonious situation, but can only come when there’s peace, tranquility and unity of purpose.