There was jubilation on Sunday as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), declared Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu winner of the October 10 governorship election. His fellow All Progressives Congress (APC) governors and their party could not hide their joy.
The APC described Akeredolu’s victory as a defeat of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) ‘stomach infrastructure’.
The party mocked the PDP for insinuating that Ondo State electorate voted for the highest bidder. The governorship candidate of the PDP, Eyitayo Jegede called on his supporters to exercise patient.
Jegede, who spoke through the spokesman of his campaign organisation, thanked the people of Ondo State who voted according to their conscience.
“We thank the loyal members of PDP at local, state and national levels who took ownership of this project and executed it. This is God’s project and since it remains so, ‘we wait, Eyi ni ise Oluwa.’”
The APC acting National Secretary and Secretary, National Campaign Council for the Ondo election, Mustapha Saliu, said voters trooped out to vote willingly.
The National Campaign Council said Akeredolu’s victory is a vindication of APC’s ideology-preference for physical infrastructure.
This was contained in a congratulatory message to Akeredolu signed by a member of the Council and the Director-General of Voice of Nigeria (VON), Mr. Osita Okechukwu in Abuja on Sunday.
The statement reads:
“On behalf of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Campaign Council led by the Governor of Lagos State, His Excellency, Babajide Sanwolu, congratulates His Excellency Rotimi Akeredolu for his victory in the Saturday 10th, October 2020 Ondo State gubernatorial election.
“For us in the APC his victory and that of His Excellency, Godwin Obaseki, both products of APC in the last four years have in no small measure defined our ideology-preference of devoting much more resources to physical infrastructural development to Stomach Infrastructure as per PDP.”
Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, attributed the victory of the APC in the election to the exhibition of the sincerity of purpose and togetherness by party leaders.
Fayemi, who congratulated Akeredolu on his re-election, said elections are almost always winnable when there are proper coordination and unity among the rank and files in the party.
The governor, in a statement in Ado-Ekiti by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Yinka Oyebode, lauded the leaders of the party in Ondo State for closing ranks ahead of the election and working in unison to achieve victory for the party.
“It is a wake-up call that with a laser beam focus, proper planning, unity and sincerity of purpose, elections are almost always winnable. It is hoped that the various bye-elections coming up at the end of the month will benefit from this renewed vigour and focus in our party”.
He said Akeredolu’s electoral victory was an attestation to the fact that the electorate would always reward a performing leader and administration with their votes.
He commended the people of Ondo State for their peaceful conduct at the poll, a situation which he said greatly reduced the pre-election tension in the state in addition to crippling the antics of purveyors of violence.
“It is a new day in Ondo State. Congratulations to my brother Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) and a bigger congratulation to the APC members in the state. The biggest applause, however, goes to the good people of Ondo State for ensuring the election was held in an atmosphere devoid of rancour, violence and blood-letting as many had predicted.
“It is heart-warming to see the electorate reward Governor Akeredolu’s good performance in terms of industrialisation and infrastructure development of the state among others with electoral victory.
“To whom much is given, much should be expected. I have no doubt that the good people of Ondo State would witness a greater level of socio-economic, industrial and infrastructure development in Governor Akeredolu’s second term,” he added.
His Osun State counterpart, Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, described the victory of Akeredolu as “sweet and well deserved”.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Ismail Omipidan, read: “Akeredolu’s victory is well-deserved and a true reflection of the wishes and aspirations of the good people of Ondo.
“The sterling performance and achievements of Governor Akeredolu in his first term also informed the decision of Ondo electorate to re-elect him for another term, and expressed confidence that the Governor will continue to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.
“I heartily congratulate His Excellency, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, on his well-deserved re-election as Governor of Ondo State. I also congratulate Mr. President, the National Caretaker Committee, and other leaders of our great party including Baba Bisi Akande, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, members and supporters of the APC, on this sweet victory at the just- concluded Ondo State governorship election.
“This victory is a true reflection of the wishes and aspirations of the good people of Ondo. It is apparent that Governor Akeredolu’s sterling performance and achievements in his first tenure informed the decision of Ondo people to vote him for another term.
“I’m confident that Governor Akeredolu will continue to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people of Ondo State.”
Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, also congratulated his Ondo State counterpart, saying the victory was deserving.
“I congratulate His Excellency the Governor of Ondo State on his victory. It is a deserving reward for his good works. The massive victory is a resounding vote of confidence by the people in his leadership in the past four years. The outcome is, therefore, a victory for the excellent performance of our party under his able leadership in the Sunshine State.
“I also congratulate the leadership and members of our party, the APC, in Ondo and across the country for rallying round the Governor to achieve this convincing victory,” he said in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye.
For Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong, Akeredolu’s re-election was worth celebrating.
Lalong, who is the Deputy Chairman of the APC Ondo Governorship Campaign Council, appreciated the resilience and faith of the people of Ondo State in their governor, and the APC.
He also commended the electorate for comporting themselves decently throughout the process of electioneering.
Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs Tayo Alasoadura congratulated Akeredolu.
Alasoadura, in a statement by his spokesman, Dayo Joseph in Akure, described the emergence of the APC candidate as “a victory well deserved”.
The minister commended INEC and the security agencies for ensuring that the election was free, fair, credible and peaceful, “in keeping with the avowed commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to leave a legacy of free and fair elections”.
Alasoadura also applauded the people of the state for turning out en-masse on Saturday, in all the local government areas of the state, to peacefully and freely exercise their democratic rights.
He extolled the “bravery, resilience and sheer doggedness” of APC members in the state.
Senate Chief Whip Orji Kalu alsocongratulated Akeredolu on his victory.
Kalu commended the people of Ondo State for their support to the governor and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
While acknowledging the transformation of Ondo State by the Akeredolu led-government, Kalu urged the governor to maintain his all inclusive and participatory approach of governance.
The former governor of Abia called on the candidates of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Chief Eyitayo Jegede and Agboola Ajayi respectively, to work harmoniously with Akeredolu to take Ondo State to greater heights.
Kalu said that the political class regardless of party affiliation must work together to drive development at the grassroots.
He said that Akeredolu had demonstrated undoubted capacity to lead the people of Ondo State to the promised land with robust development across the nooks and crannies of the state.
“The outcome of Saturday’s governorship election in Ondo State is a testament to the acceptability of the APC across Ondo State.
“The election results have clearly shown that the governor’s accomplishments in his first tenure earned him victory for a second term.
“There is no doubt in the capacity of Akeredolu to continue to steer the affairs of Ondo State.
“Election is not a do-or-die affair and as such, there is no victor, no vanquished.
“The governor must sustain his leadership style anchored on inclusiveness, transparency and accountability.
“All hands must be on deck to make life meaningful for the people,” Kalu said.
Kalu also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the media, security agencies, local and international election observers, civil society organisations and political parties for ensuring a free, fair and credible poll.
He added that Nigeria’s democracy is growing.
The former governor called on political office holders and politicians to demonstrate credible leadership and good governance at all levels for the sake of building a prosperous nation.
APC immediate past chairman Adams Oshiomhole also congratulated the governor, describing his victory as “fruit of stellar performance”.
“I felicitate with Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu on this well-deserved victory. With this emphatic victory, the good people of Ondo State have surely expressed their appreciation for Akeredolu’s stellar performance in the last four years. Truly, he is tested and trusted.
“This victory also reaffirms the dominance of our great party, APC, in the Southwest.
“I wish Akeredolu’s wisdom and God’s speed as he continues to serve as the people’s governor of Ondo and a bridge-builder,” Oshiomhole said.