Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife, congratulated Senator Ademola Adeleke on his election as the new governor of the state on Tuesday and urged him to run an inclusive government.
As a leader of the people who has no time for personal vendettas that would cause him to lose focus on his plans for the state, the traditional ruler advised him to include everyone in his plans in a statement made available to news reporters in Osogbo by his director of media and public affairs, Otunba Moses Olafare.
The traditional leader described his election victory as “indeed a victory for the state and democracy which must be seen as ‘No Victor, No vanquish'” He also cautioned him against listening to sycophantic behavior of hypocrites that may want to selfishly misadvise him by pretending to be his best loyalists.
He emphasized that the election outcome is evidence of Adeleke’s widespread support in the state, which must be rewarded with strong leadership based on the rule of law, reverence for God, and selfless service to the populace.
“Senator Ademola Adeleke has been in office for a while, and his eventual triumph will provide him the chance to keep as many of his campaign pledges.
“Mr governor-elect is from a noble family and a strong political dynasty in the state who must avoid being misled by hypocrisy and sycophancy of some arrogant political lieutenants who may want to instigate him against merely perceived political enemies both within his party and in the opposition parties. Vendetta is capable of derailing a leader,” he warned.
Alhaji Isiaka Oyetola, the governor of the state, was lauded by Ooni for his peaceful demeanor before, during, and after the election.
He was hailed as a perfect gentleman of peace who kept his commitment to not act as a desperate politician but rather to act simply as a political leader in all respects, as made lately at the peace accord meeting.
“During the Peace Accord ceremony organised by the National Peace Committee few days to the election in Osogbo attended by traditional rulers led by the Ooni, civil societies, INEC officials led by the chairman, heads of security agencies and other peace stakeholders from across the country, Governor Oyetola signed the peace accord alongside 12 other contestants and he made a promise to conduct himself peacefully before, during and after the election in a character of a gentleman and a simple leader in all ramifications. This he has done to the admiration of the traditional rulers and he must be well commended.”
Ooni praised the Osun electorate for casting their ballots quietly on Saturday with their customary virtuous “Omoluwabi” decorum and without setting the state on fire, which would have presented significant management difficulties for security forces and traditional leaders.
While praising the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for what he called a job well done during the exercise, the traditional ruler stated that the virtue of ‘Omoluabi’ displayed across the state by the Osun electorate was not without the success and smoothness of the voting exercise, affirming that “they are truly the heroes of that election day.
“What this means for our democracy is that more people are getting interested in all stages and our system of governance is gradually becoming more acceptable. It is indeed a victory for the State and democracy which must be seen as ‘No Victor No Vanquished.”
