•Tinubu, Buhari, others hail victory, Ganduje says plot to take over Oyo, Osun in progress
From Romanus Ugwu, Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja, Bamigbola Gbolagunte, Akure, Tony Osauzo, Benin and Emmanuel Adeyemi, Lokoja
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has appealed to opposition parties to join hands with him to develop the state.
His call came after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared him winner yesterday. He won in all the 18 local government areas defeating his other rivals including Agboola Ajayi of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
The state Returning Officer for the election, Prof. Olayemi Rotimi Akinwumi, who is also the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Lokoja, Kogi State, said the APC candidate polled 366,781 to beat Ajayi, who had 117,845 votes. Candidate of the Labour Party (LP) Olorunfemi Ayodele Festus, who was reinstated as a last-minute substitute by a court order on Thursday had 1,162.
The declaration of Aiyedatiwa triggered spontaneous jubilation as his loyalists burst into singing and dancing. The All Progressives Congress (APC), President Bola Tinubu, former president, Muhammadu Buhari and others have hailed the victory.
In his acceptance speech, Aiyedatiwa promised to run an all inclusive government and called on contestants from other political parties to team up with him for the development of the state, saying elections have ended and there was need to join hands together for the development of the state.
“As your governor, I promise to continue to run an inclusive and participatory government, where every citizen has a voice and an opportunity to contribute to 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.
“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,” he said.
He thanked President Tinubu for providing exemplary leadership by ensuring a level playing field in the election and dedicated his victory to God and to the memories of his late boss, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.
Triumph for democracy – Ganduje
The APC National Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje, told newsmen after the official declaration of results that the plot to take over Oyo and Osun states had started.
In another statement by his Chief Press Secretary Edwin Olofu, Ganduje said the victory was a testament to the trust and confidence the people of Ondo State have in the incumbent governor’s vision, leadership, and unwavering commitment to their well-being.
He said Ayedatiwa’s victory was not just a win for the APC, but a triumph for democracy and the enduring will of the people.
Ganduje noted that the recent victory of the APC in Edo and Ondo states governorship election was not a fluke, but an attestation that Nigerians had embraced the APC as their party. He assured that the party would remain in power for a very long time.
He added that the election was a clear reflection of the collective aspirations of the people of Ondo State, who had chosen continuity, progress, and development over retrogression.
He commended INEC for conducting a transparent, credible, and peaceful election, which further consolidates Nigeria’s democratic gains.
Ganduje also lauded the security agencies and stakeholders for ensuring a conducive environment for voters to exercise their franchise freely.
He expressed gratitude to the Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF), Sen. Hope Uzodimma, APC National Working Committee (NWC) and the party’s supporters across Ondo State. He said their hard work, resilience, and unity of purpose, played a pivotal role in securing the well-deserved victory.
He urged Ayedatiwa to remain focused on delivering people-oriented policies and programmes that would uplift the living standards of the people of the state as he embarked on another term of service.
Tinubu, APC, Buhari, Ododo, others react
President Bola Tinubu, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, commended the peaceful conduct of the election, highlighting the maturity displayed by all candidates involved.
President Tinubu 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.
He enjoined the political actors to allow their orderly conduct to permeate the post-election activities and processes.
“President Tinubu believes the Ondo State election was another litmus test of the capacity of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“He affirmed that the electoral body justified the confidence of the people with early preparations, deployment of staff and materials, and handling of the electoral process.”
President Tinubu also commended INEC for the efficiency of uploading more than 98 per cent of results on the same day of the elections.
He extended his 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.
Reacting, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC, in a statement, commended the Ondo State electorate, the security agencies and INEC.
According to the National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, “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 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,” the statement from Morka read.
In his reaction, Buhari said the voters had spoken lucidly and loudly about the confidence they have in the party and the governor and their wish expressed through the ballot box should be respected by other stakeholders.
He said while the election outcome has shown that democracy remains strong and cannot be easily overturned in a country as large and diverse as Nigeria, it is equally a challenge to the Governor-elect to put in place policies that engender economic growth, tame high unemployment and inflation and the pursuit of welfare programs to make life better for the people.
Buhari commended INEC and the law enforcement agencies for the efforts they to put into reducing observed shortcomings in previous elections.
In his reaction, Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, who served as the deputy chairman of the committee on election management and strategy in the Ondo State Governorship Campaign Council described the victory of Governor Aiyedatiwa and the APC as the result of hard work and strategic planning by the leadership and members of the party.
In a statement by his media aide, Ismailia Isah, said: “We have known Governor Aiyedatiwa. He has been tested and can be trusted to continue the good work of the APC administration in Ondo state.
“We have no doubt that he will build on existing infrastructure, social welfare and security of lives and property across the state. I am confident that he will succeed with this new mandate which is a further boost to the popularity and acceptance of the APC in Ondo State.”
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, said as neighbours, he would work closely with Governor Aiyedatiwa for the good and prosperity of Edo and Ondo States.
He prayed to God to grant Aiyedatiwa the wisdom to pilot the affairs of the State for the next four years and bring more developments to his people.
“I congratulate my friend and brother, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State, for emerging victorious in last Saturday’s governorship election.
“His victory is a good omen, and I am certain that we will work closely together to bring peace and development to our dear States as good neighbours.
“I also want to thank the people of Ondo State for voting for Governor Aiyedatiwa. I am certain that he will do well and bring more prosperity to the people of the State and Nigeria in general,” he said.
A chieftain of the APC in Ondo State, Jimoh Akeem, said the victory will bring about unprecedented development in the state as the Governor’s developmental strides since assumption of office have turned the state around.
Akeem, former Senior Legislative Assistant to the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, hailed INEC for the credible manner at which the election was conducted.
He said the election was free, fair and devoid of manipulations often attributed to elections in Nigeria.
Police moves to forestall post-election crisis
The Nigeria Police Force says it has deployed personnel to forestall any post-election crisis.
Mr Abiodun Alabi, Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) told newsmen at the police headquarters in Akure that the police had arrested three people over ballot box snatching at Idanre, Idanre Local Government Area during the election.
According to him, the deployment is to support the democratic process that binds us together.
“In that regard, we have deployed more security operatives across the state to monitor and protect every area even after the electoral process, for the maintenance of law and order,
“The police and other security agencies will not allow any post-election or ugly incident in any part of the state.
“Tactical teams have also been put on red alert to forestall any act capable of causing breach of public peace,” the DIG said.
Alabi, who said that the police would continue to rise to its mandate of election security, reaffirmed police commitment to uphold and protect democratic principles.
“Our work does not end here; we will continue to advocate for a transparent electoral process and foster an environment where democracy can thrive.
“In this post-election period, I urge all citizens to come together in a spirit of unity and cooperation.
“As we forge ahead, let us embrace our shared values and work collectively towards the betterment of our nation.
“Our strength lies in our ability to unite, regardless of our differences, and to support the democratic process that binds us together,” he said.
