BY DAMOLA EMMANUEL
A retired Assistant Comptroller General of Customs, and one of the leading lights of Ijesaland in Osun State, Chief Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi, who was recently elected senator representing Osun East Senatorial District in the 9th Senate, has thrown the olive branch to all political gladiators in the state to unite and uplift the state.
This was the core of the message of gratitude that Senator-elect Fadahunsi, popularly known as FADA by his admirers, released in Abuja, Thursday, and directed to his constituents in Osun Senatorial District
He said the only way to steer the ship of Osun to sustainable growth and development was for all stakeholders in the state’s political circuit to bury the animosities generated by the recently concluded elections and join hands to work for the progress of the state.
He expressed optimism that Senator Ademola Adeleke, candidate of his party, the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in the September 22, 2018 Governorship election in the state, will be victorious as the Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Abuja delivers judgement on Friday.
Adeleke had gone to the tribunal to challenge the declaration of Mr. Isiaka Adegboyega Oyetola of he All Progressives Congress, APC, as the elected governor of Osun State.
In his appreciation statement to his constituents, Fadahunsi said: “The elections have come and gone. Now is the time to join hands to re-build our beloved state. United we stand, divided we fall. The only path to redeem Osun is for all stakeholders to bury the hatchet, come together, and work for the progress of our beloved state.”
Fadahunsi was full of praises for his constituents in Osun East Senatorial District who voted overwhelmingly for him during the February 23, 2019 Senatorial polls.
“On behalf of my family, and my humble self,” Fadahunsi, who holds the national honour of the Officer of the Federal Republic, OFR, stated, “I wish to express my profound gratitude to the good people of Osun East Senatorial District, for overwhelmingly expressing and entrusting their confidence in me during the February 23, 2019 senatorial elections.
“No doubt, it was a keen contest between our party, the People’s Democratic Party, and the ruling All Progressives Congress in the state. But at the end of the day, the people spoke and voted decisively for progress, positive change and emancipation of our people across all ages and social strata.
“Your loud YES on February 23, 2019, my good people of Osun East Senatorial District, is the best thing to have happened to me in so many years in both my professional and political life; and I cannot take it for granted.”
Specifically, the former Customs boss-turned-Senator expressed profound gratitude to traditional rulers, leaders of different faiths, our women, our men, youths, artisans, farmers, sundry professionals and general citizenry in Osun State, who, he said, all worked for his success.
On the strength of what he referred to as their “phenomenal support,” the senator-elect said he was entering into a social contract with the “great people of Osun East to provide quality representation at the National Assembly, attract federal support for the state” and do his “utmost best to promote and elevate our common humanity.”
He added: “To my opponents in the last election, I offer a hand of fellowship and plead with you to let us all join hands together and work in the best interest of our beloved state. These, I pledge on my honour, God helping me.”