FORMER Governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola, has commended the people of the state for their continued decision to reject monetary inducement and vote for the candidates of their hearts.

Represented by the former Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Sikiru Ayedun, at Osogbo, during the Asala Day and conferment of an award on him by Osogbo sons and daughters, yesterday, Aregbesola enjoined the people not to lose faith in democracy because of the present situation.

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 “When elections are free and fair, the people’s choice prevails. As we have seen in Osun repeatedly, the people have continued to reject monetary inducement and vote for the candidates of their hearts.

“I will urge us to continue to have faith and not faint. The challenges of the present are temporary and should not make us lose faith in democracy. Democracy as a system of government guarantees choice but not good governance. There will be good governance only when we make the right choice. But democracy also enables us the privilege of constantly making choices and learning from our mistakes and correcting them,” Aregbesola said.

Noting that the infrastructure he put in place during his eight years as governor of the state has cemented his relationship with the people, Aregbesola said “this explains why they troop out to welcome us anytime we come to the city and display to us effusive emotions.”