Following his victory at last Saturday’s off-cycle governorship election in Akure, Ondo state Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa has urged his fellow contestants to join him in his efforts at taking the state to greater heights.
Aiyedatiwa, who said this in Akure Sunday in his post-election speech, assured that his administration will continue to prioritise the people’s welfare, foster economic growth, and ensure the state remains a beacon of hope and prosperity for generations to come.
INEC declares results
At the end of the poll, the Chief Returning Officer of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Olayemi Durotimi Akinwunmi, declared Aiyedatiwa of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as winner, having satisfied the required votes duly cast during the election.
Aiyedatiwa defeated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Mr Agboola Ajayi, securing the majority of votes across the state’s 18 local government areas.
While Aiyedatiwa polled 366,781 votes, Ajayi of the PDP got 117,835 votes.
…Acceptance speech
In his acceptance speech, Aiyedatiwa said: “I dedicate this victory, first to the Almighty God and second, to the memories of our departed leader and former Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN, CON.”
“I stand before you this day, on the threshold of history, to accept the results of the 2024 gubernatorial elections held in our Sunshine State,” the governor further said.
Continuing, the governor-elect said: “Now that the elections are over, it is time to rededicate ourselves to the service of our dear State. I therefore want to extend a hand of fellowship to the opposition parties and to invite you to collaborate with us in the onerous task of building a better Ondo State for the overall good of our people.
“Let us put aside our differences and work together to create a brighter future for ourselves, our children, and our communities.
“As your governor, I pledge to uphold an inclusive and participatory government, where every citizen’s voice is heard and their contribution is valued for our collective progress.
“We will continue to prioritise the welfare of our people, foster economic growth, and ensure that our state remains a beacon of hope and prosperity for generations to come. Now that the elections are over, it is time to rededicate ourselves to the service of our dear state,” he declared.
The governor, who appreciated President Bola Amhed Tinubu for “providing exemplary leadership and also ensuring a level playing ground in the just concluded election,” further said: “We have enjoyed your unwavering support throughout this journey. To the State Chairman and Working Committee of our Party, Campaign team, my family and friends, we couldn’t have achieved this huge success without your love, commitment, encouragement, and hard work.”
…APC, Tinubu
And in its first reaction, the APC congratulated the governor-elect and also thanked the Ondo electorate for choosing the party over others.
In a statement signed Sunday in Abuja by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the APC expressed confidence that Aiyedatiwa will build on his accomplishments, and take the state to even greater heights of social and economic development for the benefit of the people.
Morka said: “Your Excellency’s resounding victory in the just-concluded Ondo state gubernatorial election is a clear attestation that your administration’s policies and programmes, and campaign message of hope and consolidation have resonated deeply with the electorate.
“With this renewed mandate, we are confident that you will build upon your accomplishments, and take the state to even greater heights of social and economic development for the benefit of the good people of Ondo state.
“We commend the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the security agencies for their professionalism and patriotism in the discharge of their constitutional roles during the election.
“We thank the Ondo electorate for their sustained and highly valued support of our great Party.”
Also in a congratulatory message to Governor Aiyedatiwa, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu commended the peaceful conduct of the process.
He congratulated Aiyedatiwa and other candidates of the 17 political parties for the maturity and sense of purpose demonstrated during the campaigns and the election, attributing the success of the polls to the civility in the state.
Tinubu enjoined the political actors to allow their orderly conduct to permeate the post-election activities and processes.
President Tinubu said he believes the Ondo state election was another litmus test of the capacity of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), affirming that the electoral body justified the confidence of the people with early preparations, deployment of staff and materials and handling of the electoral process.
The president also commended INEC for the efficiency of uploading more than 98 per cent of results on the same day of the elections.
President Tinubu extended appreciation to the Nigerian Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Federal Road Safety Corps, National Youth Service Corps, the Military and other security outfits for their professionalism in maintaining peace and order.
He urged candidates dissatisfied with the outcome of the election to explore the opportunities provided by the judicial system to seek redress on areas of conflict.
…Ganduje upbeat
In his own reaction, the APC national chairman, Dr. Ganduje, said with the recent victories secured both in Edo and Ondo states, Nigerians have embraced the ruling party, which he said, stand being in power for some time to come.
In a statement by his chief press secretary, Edwin Olofu, the APC chair thanked the electoral empire, the security agencies and the people of Ondo state for a peaceful exercise.
The statement said: “The remarkable success is a testament to the trust and confidence the people of Ondo state have in his vision, leadership, and unwavering commitment to their well-being.”
It further added: “The National Chairman said Governor Ayedatiwa’s victory is not just a win for the APC but a triumph for democracy and the enduring will of the people.
“Ganduje noted the recent victory of the party in Edo and Ondo States is not a fluke but an attestation that Nigerians has embraced the APC as their party, assuring that the party will remain in power for a very long time.
“Ganduje said the election was a clear reflection of the collective aspirations of the good people of the state, who have chosen continuity, progress, and development over retrogression.
“Dr. Ganduje commends the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for conducting a transparent, credible, and peaceful election, which further consolidates Nigeria’s democratic gains.
“He also lauds the security agencies and stakeholders for ensuring a conducive environment for voters to exercise their franchise freely.
“The National Chairman expresses gratitude to the Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum Senator Hope Uzodimma, National Working Committee (NWC) of the party, members, and supporters of the APC across Ondo State for their hard work, resilience, and unity of purpose, which played a pivotal role in securing this well-deserved victory.
“As Governor Ayedatiwa prepares to embark on another term of service, the APC National Chairman urges him to remain focused on delivering people-oriented policies and programs that will uplift the living standards of the people of Ondo State.
“He assures the governor of the party’s unwavering support and commitment to his administration’s success.”
…PDP rejects results
Rejecting the results, however, the PDP described the governorship election as the worst ever conducted by the INEC.
A statement by the PDP national publicity secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said “the party and indeed all lovers of democracy in Nigeria and across the world have just witnessed the worst election conducted by INEC in the history of the country.”
According to the party, “the November 16, 2024 governorship election in Ondo State ran short of all expectations and requirements of a free, fair, and credible election as it witnessed the height of electoral swindling, deceit, and manipulation by the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“This election witnessed widespread election merchandising, monetization, and barefaced vote buying by the APC and its apparatus in government to suppress the genuine aspiration of the people.
“This devious practice by the APC was rampant and pervasive because the APC has utterly impoverished Nigerians and turned poverty into a weapon of mass subjugation which enabled it to manipulate the election and its outcome.
“We call the attention of all Nigerians and the International Community to this reprehensible practice by the APC as widely witnessed in the November 16, 2024 Governorship election in Ondo State and we demand that a serious action be taken to stem such if Nigeria’s democracy must survive.”
The statement informed that in the meantime, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP will be conducting a more detailed review of the election and its outcome and “take appropriate action in the defence of our democracy.”