The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, has congratulated Governor Seyi Makinde on his reelection, urging him to keep delivering dividends of democracy to the people.

In a statement on Monday in Ibadan, Mr Balogun advised the Ibadan governor to work harder on behalf of the people.

According to him, the election result was a verdict of the people’s confidence in Mr Makinde.

“There is always the tendency for a second timer to be lethargic because there’s nothing to aspire for again, at least at the state level. In your inner recess, I implore you to cast your mind back to some of the issues raised as criticisms by your opponents during the electioneering and do something about them,” said the Ibadan monarch.

He added, “Not all of them were political propaganda or mere attempts to demarket you and your administration, but very germane and crucial to good governance.”

Mr Balogun urged the governor to “keep open arms and embrace all for the overall growth and development of the state,” reminding him that “you can’t do all, but let it be said of you at the end of another four years that you did your possible best and let people of the state remain proud of the choice made in you.”

He, however, called for the support of all and sundry for Mr Makinde, with a charge that with the conclusion of the elections, politics should take the back seat while all hands must be on deck for a more prosperous state.

The traditional ruler also commended the election umpire, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on the conduct of the election.

He noted that the commission did “a yeoman’s job” for dousing the tension ahead of the election by placing patriotism and professionalism above every other consideration in the discharge of the sacred duty, which caught the admiration of all. 

(NAN)