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• Says Atiku’s return to fuel subsidy comment shows he lacks understanding
From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has urged Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, to use his victory in the recent governorship election to promote reconciliation, unity and stability rather than treat his political opponents as enemies.
Tinubu, who received Adeleke at the State House, Abuja, said the governor had a historic opportunity to demonstrate the virtues of democracy by reaching out to those who opposed him and avoiding any form of victimisation.
The President told Adeleke that his victory was not a conquest over his opponents but a mandate entrusted to him by the people, stressing that the responsibility before him was now to govern for the benefit of all residents of the state.
“You did not conquer anybody. You won the election. That is the essence of democracy,” Tinubu said.
He urged the governor to make reconciliation the cornerstone of his administration, saying the best way to appreciate the confidence reposed in him by the electorate was through his actions in office.
“All for the reconciliation, expand your coast. That is the only way you can give thanks to our people. Not the way you sang it or celebrated it. It’s the way you act it,” the President said.
Tinubu also reminded Adeleke that political office was ultimately determined by the will of God and the people, urging him to use his position to make history by strengthening peace and democratic stability.
“Where you are today, God put you there. Not the smartness of any of these people. It’s just their support, not their smartness. It is the wish of God that prevailed and the wish of the people for you,” he said.
According to him, Adeleke was now in a “very, very unique position” to promote unity, peace and stability in Osun.
The President commended Adeleke and his political team for what he described as effective mobilisation during the election, saying their performance reflected “progressive instinct.”
He, however, cautioned the governor against using his victory to stigmatise or target political opponents.
“You saw fear. You screamed. Promote democracy. Promote stability. Promote rule of law. Don’t stigmatise any of your opponent,” Tinubu told him.
The President said democracy could only thrive when political actors accepted electoral outcomes and respected the rights of those on the opposing side.
“Anybody, any Democrat, anybody in the political environment who cannot celebrate the joy of free and fair election does not deserve the laughter and the happiness of democracy,” he said.
Tinubu further advised Adeleke not to make any individual a victim of his campaign, stressing that the governor’s responsibility extended beyond his political interests to future generations.
“Don’t make a single individual a victim of your campaign. Don’t. Not for you alone. Not for the sake of us all alone. For the generations to come,” he said.
The President also used the occasion to defend his administration’s economic reforms and criticise calls by opposition figures to restore fuel subsidy.
Referring to a proposal by one of his political opponents (former Vice President Atiku Abubakar) to return to petrol subsidy, Tinubu described the position as evidence of a lack of understanding of governance and economic realities.
“Let’s look at the trajectory of the history. I saw one of my opponents now say he will go back to subsidy. I read it. That is demonstration of a serious ignorance on governance and economy,” he said.
Tinubu recalled the financial difficulties confronting many states before his administration’s reforms, saying 27 states had previously struggled to pay workers’ salaries and meet their obligations to pensioners.
“Before I came here, 27 states are unable to pay salaries, not to even talk of pensioners, salary of workers,” he said.
He said the resources available to governments should instead be channelled into infrastructure and social services, including roads, housing, schools, hospitals and healthcare.
According to Tinubu, governments at all levels have a responsibility to improve the living conditions of ordinary Nigerians and protect vulnerable families.
“Ask common men, their families, to feed the infrastructure you embark upon on the road network, housing, school rehabilitation, hospital, health care pronouncements, resuscitation of health care, training of teachers, training of health workers to protect our vulnerable families,” he said.
The President said Adeleke should therefore focus on delivering good governance to the people of Osun, noting that the electorate had demonstrated their confidence in him.
“And the people of fortunate states pronounce their judgment on you, that they love you. They want you to govern. So you’re going back to govern,” Tinubu said.
He urged the governor to seize the opportunity provided by his electoral victory to build bridges across political divides and strengthen democratic institutions.
“It’s more important for you to build a network of unities, unified tools, and everything,” the President said.
Tinubu expressed satisfaction with his meeting with Adeleke, describing their discussion as an opportunity to reinforce the importance of reconciliation and democratic values.
“I’m so happy that we have this talk,” he said.
