Adegboyega Oyetola, the immediate past governor of Osun State, has stated that he has returned to the state to reclaim his mandate.
Oyetola stated this on Monday at an interdenominational prayer session hosted by the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, to usher in the New Year.
Oyetola, who lost the Osun gubernatorial election on July 16, 2022, stated that the mandate was freely given to him by God and the people of the state.
While expressing confidence in reclaiming his mandate and leading the APC to victory in the February 16, 2023, presidential election for Bola Tinubu and Kashim Shettima, he added that the New Year is a year of God’s manifest promises.
“I am happy to return home,” he said to party supporters. I wanted to enter quietly and unannounced. That’s why I didn’t announce my arrival, but to my great surprise, you were already here in such large numbers to greet me. I want to thank you all for your unwavering love and support.
“God has revealed to us that this year is a year of happiness and unending manifestations. God never breaks His promises. This year will be filled with notable accomplishments. We intend to reclaim our mandate.
“God has revealed to us that this year will be marked by two victories. We will reclaim our mandate, and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu will be elected President of Nigeria.
He has returned us back to the state to reclaim our mandate soon.”
Debunking rumors that he would relocate permanently to Lagos, Oyetola revealed that he has returned fully.
The former governor, who announced the start of campaigns across the state, urged party members to put aside their differences and work together.
He also stated that the APC was the party to beat as the country prepares for general elections in February.
“I am particularly charged and energized by what I have seen, and I want to assure you that by the grace of God, I will lead this party to victory,” he said. What I’m seeing today indicates that victory is certain. Asiwaju is the man, and he has no competition. The problem is not with social media. We’re talking about people who have proven their abilities. Check out what he did in Lagos State. Go to Borno and see what Shettima, his running mate, did. Ticket banditry is over with Asiwaju/Shettima, and it will be fought with technology.”
While urging party members to vote massively for the Tinubu/Shettima APC ticket, he also urged them to collect their Permanent Voter’s Cards, PVCs, as news of nearly a million uncollected PVCs caused him personal concern.
The former governor, who delivered his farewell address to the residents of the state on November 26, 2022, immediately left the state.
In his absence, Ademola Adeleke’s new administration accused the Oyetola administration of several misdemeanors, including alleged looting of government quarters and theft of official vehicles by public officials who served in the administration.
Governor Adeleke challenged Oyetola to provide details on the loans he collected on behalf of the state in an address to the Osun State Council of Traditional Rulers.
