Debo Adeoye – Ibadan
Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, has advised losers in the last general election to seek redress in the tribunal instead of venting their anger against innocent citizens of the state.
The governor gave the advice during an interactive session with journalists in his office, on Monday.
He said that anybody caught fomenting trouble or resorting to self help as a result of electoral loss would be brought to justice, irrespective of his or her political affiliation.
Suing for calm among political gladiators and their supporters, the governor said that the state government would not condone any act capable of threatening the peace and security of the state.
The governor harped on the need for stakeholders not to allow the state to slip back to the inglorious days of bloodletting and thuggery.
Ajimobi said, “We must ensure that we encourage sustainability of peace and security, which is the major precursor for development. We must not allow the state to go back to the days of brigandage. It is antithetical to development.
“So I advise all those who lost in the last election to accept the outcome in good faith. But, if they have any strong reason or reasons to contest their loss or they believe there were manipulations, they should take the legal route.
“But, if you believe there is nothing like that then leave it and go and prepare for the next time. They should congratulate the winners and support them. Nobody should attack anybody for losing election.”
The governor congratulated the winner of the governorship election in the state, Mr Seyi Makinde, once again, advising him to sustain the good legacies he would be leaving behind.
Among these legacies the governor listed as dear to his heart were security of lives and property, urban renewal, education reform, especially the School Governing Board system, among other areas.
The governor stated that electoral loss should not make leaders abandon their expected roles in building the society, disclosing that he would still be active in office until May 28, 2019 when his tenure would end.
The governor said, “While congratulating Engr. Seyi Makinde for his victory at the last election, I want to use this opportunity to advise him to tow the line of peace just like we have done. We could not have done it all, but we have done many good things that will outlast many coming administrations.
“In many things in life you have pros and cons, but once our plus is more than our minus, the plus should be sustained. The fact that our party (All Progressives Congress) lost does not mean that we should throw away the baby with the bath water.”
