Akeredolu wins Ondo election

• President congratulates Gov, urges him to be humble in victory
• It is a reward for hard work, honesty… says Governor

THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) today declared the incumbent governor, and candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Rotimi Akeredolu re-elected in the Ondo State governorship election that held yesterday, October 10.

Akeredolu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), polled 292,830 votes to emerge winner of the election held on Saturday.

His closest challengers Eyitayo Jegede of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), also a SAN, got 195,791 votes while Agboola Ajayi of Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) got 69,127 votes.

INEC’s returning officer, Prof. Idowu Olayinka, said Akeredolu met all conditions required to be returned as governor-elect for the state.

Akeredolu won in 15 of the 18 local government areas where the election held.

President Muhammadu Buhari, in a statement shortly after Akeredolu was declared winner, lauded the “resounding victory of the Governor,” noting that the votes garnered “show that one good turn surely deserves another.”

While thanking the people of Ondo, for “comporting themselves decently and in order,” President Buhari observed that the conduct of the electorate, “indicates that the country is making progress in its electoral behaviour.”

The President also commended INEC for “organising credible, free and fair election.” He praised the security agencies for ensuring “that orderliness was enthroned and maintained.”

The statement signed by Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, said in part: The President urges Gov Akeredolu to be humble and magnanimous in victory, and serve the people of Ondo State even better than how he did in the first term, noting: “when you serve with heart and might, the people respond in like manner, and we can easily get to where we are headed as a country.”

Speaking at his residence in Owo, his hometown, shortly after he was declared winner, Akeredolu promised not to relent in making the people the centre of his administration.

The renewal of his mandate, said Akeredolu, was an eloquent testimony to the degree of acceptance by the people. He affirmed that the confidence reposed in his administration remained unshaken.

He noted that his scorecard in the first tenure, based on the people’s assessment of it, earned him his victory.

“It is unequivocal, direct, inspiring and soul lifting. It is awesome. It is a reward for hard work, dedication, focus, honesty and patriotism. It is also a challenge to us for rededication to service in the interest of our people. On this, we shall not relent”, said Akeredolu

He added, “The resounding victory of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), throws an open challenge to all stakeholders not to choose the path of complacency.

“We have noted the few dissenting voices of protest in this referendum. We heard them loud and clear. We intend to address genuine grievances. We shall continue to focus on the development of our God-given space, the Sunshine State.

“This Administration will not be distracted in the discharge of our sacred mandate. The people will continue to be at the centre of all decisions.

“We will proceed with our administrative style which promotes transparency and accountability. We are determined to set our State, progressively, on the path of real development. Self-reliance is attainable.

“Our State has no business with poverty. Sincere, purposeful and focused leadership should have little difficulty in harnessing the vast resources, both human and natural. We will put in everything to justify the trust reposed in us.”

Showing obvious magnanimity in victory, Akeredolu particularly, congratulated the PDP candidate, Eyitayo Jegede, for participating in the election, adding that Eyitayo’s patriotism was not in doubt.

He noted that Eyitayo’s love for the people was unassailable

The governor, however, kept mum on the fate that befell his estranged deputy, Agboola Ajayi, who  came distant  third in the just concluded election.

Ajayi, who had boasted that he would defeat his erstwhile boss and Jegede of the PDP,  lost to Akeredolu in his local government.

Members of the APC National Campaign Council led by Lagos Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, were at Akeredolu’s residence when the results were announced and governor reelected.

Others present were former Ogun Governor Ibikunle Amosun; Osun Governor Gboyega Oyetola and their Kogi counterpart, Yahaya Bello amongst others.