The Oyo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) congratulated Governor Seyi Makinde on his re-election as the state’s chief executive officer, describing his victory as well-earned and well-deserved.
In a statement signed by the chairman, Ademola Babalola, and made available to the newsmen by the Union’s Secretary, Sola Oladapo, the NUJ charged Governor Makinde to see his return as governor for another four years as a golden opportunity to further the development of the state and the welfare of its people under his watch.
Babalola observed that Makinde’s implementation of numerous development projects during his first term won him the affection of the state’s citizens, who perceived him as a compassionate and just administrator.
“The signs were so visible that Saturday’s gubernatorial election would be a walkover for Governor Makinde, who has endeared himself to the common people by showing them that he is a compassionate administrator.
“The governor’s good deeds were also trumpeted by the workers and particularly pensioners, many of whom trekked distances to their polling units to vote for the man who has returned smile to their faces.
“Hitherto neglected zones are getting their deserved attention through road and other infrastructural projects connecting the zones and making the movement of agric produce from the production to the consumption centres possible,” the statement said.
Babalola, however, tasked Makinde to be magnanimous in victory by engaging competent people from across the state, irrespective of political leanings in his government.
The NUJ chairman commended the two leading opposition candidates, Senator Teslim Folarin of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Oloye Adebayo Adelabu of Accord for congratulating Makinde.
He urged them to support the governor in moving the state forward by offering suggestions to Makinde on how they think certain things should be done to advance the state’s progress and development.
He tasked winners of the 2023 elections across levels not to forget the promises they made to the people of their constituencies, reminding them that they would give an account of their stewardship in another four years.
The NUJ called on the state’s people to continue to embrace peace and support the Makinde-led administration, adding that no good progress can be made in an atmosphere of chaos.