Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, has urged people attacking him over the recently held election to stop doing so, saying it amounted to politics of bitterness.
He particularly called on the governor-elect in the state, Seyi Makinde, to stop what he (Ajimobi) called a campaign of calumny and, instead, focus on what he intends to do for the people.
During and especially after the election in which Ajimobi lost his bid to go to the Senate, while the party also suffered defeat in other key areas, he became the object of criticism and mockery by many people.
These included online critics who faulted his style, particularly his manner of reacting to some public issues.
Although Makinde visited him shortly after clinching victory, the euphoria the visit generated did not last as the governor-elect soon raised the alarm over the state’s treasury.
But in a statement signed by Ajimobi’s Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, Bolaji Tunji, he said Makinde’s move was aimed at tarnishing his image and rubbishing his “eight-year selfless service” to the state.
Ajimobi noted that the Peoples Democratic Party ought to start talking about its plans for the state and how to build on the foundation laid by his administration instead of carrying on with its acrimonious campaign.
He said, “It is disheartening that more than two weeks after the election, the opposition parties, especially the PDP, have carried on as if they are still campaigning.
“Now that elections have been won and lost, there should be an end to acrimonious and incendiary comments. Political discussion has moved from the pre-2011 era. Our focus is on politics of issues and development.
“That is what we expect from them, not personal attacks and falsehood-laced statements indicating their unpreparedness for governance.
“I am not unaware that during campaigns, some politicians adopted the campaign of calumny as strategy believing it would give them undue advantage, but such does not last.
“What the electorate expect is to be educated on their blueprint for the development of the state.”
