Olagunsoye
Oyinlola put a gloss on his travails on Sunday and celebrated his exit
with a thanksgiving service where he thanked the people of Osun State
for the opportunity given him to serve.
The Appeal Court ruled on November 26 that his was a stolen mandate.
The
court declared his election on April 14, 2007 null and void, and gave
the victory to Rauf Aregbesola of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).
Oyinlola,
nevertheless, rallied his fellow Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members
for the thanksgiving service at Saint Michael’s Anglican Cathedral
Church in Okuku, Osun State.
Those
who attended included former President Olusegun Obasanjo; former
military President, Ibrahim Babangida; Governors Gbenga Daniel (Ogun)
and Adebayo Alao-Akala (Oyo); and former Lagos State Deputy Governor,
Femi Pedro.
Also
present were Youth Development Minister, Akinlabi Olasunkanmi;
Secretary to the Oyo State Government (SSG), Olayiwola Olakojo; former
Osun SSG, Fatai Akinbade; Shuaib Oyedokun, Yusuf Alli, Adebayo Adelodun,
Kunle Kalejaye, Patrick Aziza, and Tunde Osanupin.
Oyinlola, in his remarks thanked God for giving him the opportunity to serve as Governor for seven and a half years.
He also expressed appreciation to Nigerians for their show of support since the Court of Appeal ousted him from office.
He urged the people of the state to fortify his successor with prayers saying, “Osun State is our Jerusalem.”
Oyinlola said his joy knew no bounds for his achievements in office, stressing that human welfare was the focal point in power.
He
also thanked government workers, noting that none of them was unjustly
treated by his administration and that projects were evenly distributed
statewide, irrespective of the politics of the areas.
Oyinlola said he has not lost sleep over the court verdict because “if there is no disappointment, there cannot be appointment.”
He
thanked Babangida, Daniel, Alao-Akala, and all the other dignitaries
for honouring him with their presence, stressing that it was wonderful
that an array of people across the country witnessed the thanksgiving
service despite the fact that he did not send out formal invitations.
He prayed that Almighty God would continue to take charge of the affairs of Osun for the good of the people of the state.
Bishop
Ayo Ladigbolu, who delivered the sermon, noted the occasion was one of
joy for the Oyinlola family whose son did not disappoint the people in
office.
He said God does not disappoint His people and He is always available to support the beleaguered.
Ladigbolu asked the people to also support the new government of Aregbesola as they did Oyinlola’s.
