Atiku: Adeleke’s victory, referendum on APC’s govt

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has described the victory of the party’s governorship candidate in the Osun State gubernatorial election, Ademola Adeleke, as a “referendum” on the administration of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Adeleke polled 403,371 votes to defeat the incumbent governor and APC candidate, Gboyega Oyetola, in the governorship election held in Osun State on Saturday.

Governor Oyetola came second with 375,027 votes.

Congratulating the PDP gubernatorial candidate, Atiku, in a statement he personally issued on Sunday and titled, ‘The ship of hope is already at the harbour’, said the 2023 general election would be “a full referendum” on the APC’s regime.

The former Vice President, who reiterated his affection for the people of Osun State, said although his wife hails from the state, “if you have to walk a difficult path and you need men and women of courage and astute valour, the people of Osun will never be a disappointment.”

The PDP presidential candidate stated: “At this point in time when our country needs to take a break from the shameful effects of bad governance, it shall be on record that Osun State provided the compass into that brighter future that awaits us at the horizon.

“The referendum on the administration of the APC has commenced with the verdict of the people of Osun State in electing Senator Ademola Adeleke, while we know that the 2023 general election will be a full referendum.

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“It is inconceivable that Nigerians will reward the APC for the failings of the last seven years. And in a state like Osun, for example, it’s been a long time since the people last felt the effect of good governance.

“The ship of hope is already at the harbour under the umbrella of the Peoples Democratic Party. We shall intensify the work to ensure that we uproot all vestiges of bad governance and false hopes towards the 2023 election. The Imole (light) that has started to shine from Osun shall soon have a national coverage.”

Atiku added that the victory of Adeleke has also provided “a catalyst for the PDP to see the opportunity when the party works together in unity.

“The work to bring the PDP together is a work in progress and the good news is that we are steadily making progress.

“As you wake up the morning after (Sunday, the 17th of July, 2022), you may be assured that you are doing so with the illumination that has come to Osun.

“Congratulations to Sen. Ademola Adeleke, on a well-fought victory. Also, hearty congratulations to the PDP family and all stakeholders who came together to make this sweet victory possible. But even more importantly, congratulations to the great people of Osun State for proving that power truly belongs to the people.

“The march to reclaim Nigeria’s greatness has begun and it shall not stop until we achieve the goal of One People, One Future, and One Country,” the former Vice President said.

The Star