Ajimobi to election losers: Embrace peace, prepare for next election

Go to court if you’re not satisfied with election outcome, Ajimobi

Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo state has challenged all those who lost in the recently concluded general elections in the country to in the spirit of sportsmanship embrace peace and begin to prepare for the next election.

Instead of fomenting troubles, Ajimobi said all those who think they have issues or suspected any untoward action or activities in the election result as announced by the electoral umpire should go to the court of law.

He gave the charge while addressing journalists on Tuesday at the Governor’s office.

Ajimobi who had congratulated the governor-elect, Mr Seyi Makinde of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) charged the incoming administration to learn and sustain the good things of his APC led government while also working on the areas he (Ajimobi) might have been perceived not to have done well.

He warned trouble-makers not compromise on his legacy of peace and security of lives and property until the last day of his administration, urging the incoming government to ensure that the state does not slip back into the days of brigandage, adding that such will be antithetical to development.

Ajimobi said “In all things, we must appreciate God and God has been very kind to our government. First, we have been able to for the first time, use eight years, and it was eight years of peace, security, safety and of development on all fronts.

“When you talk about this last election, from the results that we have seen, the declared winners, the usual thing as a sportsman and democrat is to congratulate all those who won and to encourage those who lost to accept the losses.

“Also, is the fact that we encourage sustainability of peace and development. We must not allow Oyo state to slip back to the days of brigandage. It is antithetical to development.

“So, all those who lost should accept and if they find reasons why they lost, and they believe that some maneuvering or manipulations have been done, they should take the legal course.

“But if you believe that nothing untoward has happened, you leave it and prepare for the next time. My admonition is that our people should maintain and sustain peace.

“This government will not leave until the 29th of May. Between now and the 29th of May, we are in government and will ensure peace and tranquility which is the hallmark of our administration. And we believe that all hands must be on deck to maintain this.

“With regard to the newly elected governor, he should also toe the line of peace, encourage the people to toe the line of peace. Even if we have done badly in some areas, we have done many good things that outweigh those supposedly bad things and in anything in life, there are pros and cons.

“Once our pluses are more than our minuses, it should be encouraged. The fact that we lost does not mean that we should throw away the baby with the bath water. I think there are good things he can learn from us, there are good things we will be ready to give him to take from and he should adjust and improve on the bad ones so that we can go to the next level.”