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Ondo
State Governor-elect, Rotimi Akeredolu SAN
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With 244,842 votes, Mr.
Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, of the All Progressives Congress, APC, was, yesterday,
declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, as the winner
of Saturday’s governorship election.
Vanguard
report continues:
According
to the results announced by Prof. Abdul-Ganiyu Ambali, the INEC Chief Returning
Officer, he won with a margin of 94,462 votes, sparking off protests from rival
political parties.
Mr
Eyitayo Jegede, SAN, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate, his closest
challenger had 150,380 votes. The Alliance for Democracy standard bearer,
Olusola Oke, garnered 126,889 votes to come third, while Dr. Olu Agunloye of
the Social Democratic Party, SDP, got 10,149 votes.
Ambali
gave the total number of valid votes to be 551,272 votes, rejected votes
29,615 and total number of votes cast as 580,887.
The
council areas won by Akeredolu included the two strongholds of Jegede – Akure
South and Akure North; Ifedore, the council area of the state chairman of the
PDP, Clement Faboyede.
Akeredolu
won massively in Owo, where he hails from with over 32,000 votes.
Other
councils won by the governor-elect included Idanre, lrele, Akoko North East,
Ile Oluji-Okeigbo, Akoko South-East, Ose, Akoko South-West, Akoko North-West,
Odigbo and Ese-Odo.
Jegede
managed to win in the two councils controlled by the outgoing governor, Dr
Olusegun Mimiko – Ondo East and Ondo West council areas.
Olusola
Oke also managed to win in Okitipupa and in his home town of Ilaje local
council.
However,
the result has been pooh-poohed by Oke and Agunloye, who said it did not
reflect the wishes of Ondo people. Jegede, who said he was still studying the
result, said he had won the hearts of Ondo people, who stood by him during his
battle to reclaim the PDP ticket.
They
spoke as President Muhammadu Buhari, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu Senate President
Bukola Saraki, Governors Rochas Okorocha (Imo), Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto);House
of Representatives Speaker, Yakubu Dogara; former governor of Ekiti State, Dr
Kayode Fayemi and the APC saluted Akeredolu on his victory.
Shortly
after the election, Oke had complained of pre-loaded card readers, intimidation
and harassment of his party leaders and supporters as well as inducement of
voters by the APC and PDP to rig the election.
Result
not true reflection of Ondo people’s wish – Agunloye
Speaking
in like manner, Agunloye lamented that the result of the election was not the
true reflection of the wishes of the people of the state.
Agunloye
told newsmen in Akure that reports from his agents across the state indicated
that there was “distribution of money, clothes and other things at various
polling stations.
“The
electorate were attacked and driven out of the voting centres while the
security agents looked the other way.
“The
figures released by INEC to me seemed to had been allocated by the electoral
body in collaboration with APC but we will await the decision of the party
before we take our next step,” he said.
Agunloye
added that this is not the end of the matter, as he will soon “take a decision
after conferring with the leadership of our party.”
Jegede
studies situation, says he won hearts of Ondo people
On
his part, Jegede, yesterday, said that he was still studying the situation and
would make his position on the outcome of the election known in due course.
He
pointed out, however, that he was happy that he won the hearts of the
people of the state who stood by him during the travails.
“I
know we have won the hearts of the people and I should thank our people for
standing by us, for their show of love and for their steadfastness,” he
said, adding that he was waiting for the position of his party before taking
further step.
Speaking
with newsmen in Akure few hours after Akeredolu was declared the winner of the
poll, he said: “We are studying the situation and in the fullness of time you
will know what the position of the party is. The events that led to the
election is known to us and you. We had 48 hours to prepare for the election, I
was cleared by the court on Wednesday and had only Thursday to campaign and on
Saturday I had to go for election. The request for postponement was denied by
INEC for reasons that we are yet to fathom and these are the things in the next
few days we will have to review.”
The
Ondo State PDP, Chairman, Clement Faboyede said: “The party will meet today
(yesterday)with all the stakeholders and our decision will be made public. We
thank God for the litigation processes and at the end of the day we came out
victorious and our heart desired candidate for PDP was cleared to contest the
election few days to the election and there was no time for campaign and to
prepare for the election. We will meet soon and x-ray every angle and get
across to the public.”
I
won’t fail Ondo people – Akeredolu
A
few hours after he was declared the governor elect, Akeredolu promised the
people of the state that he would not fail them.
Speaking
with newsmen at his residence in Owo, he dedicated the victory to God and Ondo
people.
He
commended President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Chairman of APC, Chief
John Oyegun and members of the party National Working Committee (NWC).
His
words: “This victory is of God through the people. It is not for me or the APC
alone, it is a victory for the people of Ondo State irrespective of which side
of the divide you stood during the election. For me, it is a challenge to
perform. It is a call to rescue our state and reverse its fortunes.
“I
thank the people of my dear state for their steadfastness. I have heard their
messages throughout the campaign to all the nooks and crannies of the state.
Today, you have spoken with one voice. You have walked your talk. You have
voted for me as your governor for the next years.
“Today,
change has come. I hereby make a solemn pledge that this collective mandate
shall address all issues with keen determination. The welfare of our people
alone shall be the directive policy of the government.
“Today’s
victory is a confirmation of the willingness and readiness of the people of
Ondo State to change and seek a better life. I thank you for your faith and
confidence in me. I thank all those whose uncommon sacrifice, contributed in no
small measure to the success of the exercise. A special show of gratitude must
be extended to our security agents for their patriotic duty.
“I
shall in few months be saddled with the task of providing responsible
leadership, a leadership that would take our people from poverty and stagnation
to productivity and prosperity, from pains and lamentation to joy and laughter.
It is the sole reason you have voted for me and by the grace of God, I will not
fail you.”
INEC
rigged Ondo election in advance for APC — Fayose
Ekiti
State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose lamented the outcome of the election, saying
that INEC connived with the APC and its collaborators in the PDP to rig the
election before it was conducted.
“Just
as I would have loved to congratulate the winner, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN),
because in every contest, there must be a winner and a loser, the role of INEC
in awarding victory to him in the election left much to be desired,” he said in
a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New
Media, Lere Olayina.
According
to him, the INEC gave the APC victory in the election by deliberately replacing
the name of Mr Eyitayo Jegede, the PDP candidate, thereby, creating legal
logjam that lasted till three days to the election.
He
said the PDP went to the election with its hands tied to the back because of
the uncharitable actions of INEC, which has become an arm of the APC.
He
maintained that apart from the APC, political parties in Nigeria are now
contesting elections against INEC.
Governor
Fayose lamented that “to sustain the ‘see and buy’ strategy and legalise money
politics, the APC-led federal government deliberately created poverty in the
country so as to continue to enslave the minds of Nigerians with peanuts to get
their votes on election day, saying; “Dibo ko sebe (vote and cook soup) was the
slang used by the APC in the Ondo State election and that only worked because
the APC federal government has put Nigerians in abject poverty.”
He
said: “Even though INEC allowed what appeared like a free and fair atmosphere
on the election day, the election had been won and lost before it was held. For
instance, INEC that witnessed the PDP primary election that produced Mr Eyitayo
Jegede succumbed to pressure from the APC cabal to replace him with Jimoh
Ibrahim, who did not take part in any primary election known to the Electoral
Act.
“What
could anyone have done under 72 hours in an election that was heavily monetised
by the APC? The whole process was a deliberate sabotage by INEC, which
has totally bastardised the electoral process. Obviously, all these
shenanigans are geared towards turning Nigeria to a one party state by weakening
all opposition parties ahead of the 2019 general elections but I can assure
Nigerians that this will not last because the people will always defeat
tyranny.”
Accept
defeat in good faith, APC tells other contestants
Celebrating
its victory, the APC called for calm and appealed to opposition parties and
their candidates to accept their defeat in the Ondo poll in good faith.
APC
National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, in a statement issued by Mr Edegbe
Odemwingie, the party‘s assistant director of publicity, congratulated
Akeredolu and and his running mate, Mr Agboola Ajayi on their victory.
Thanking
Ondo people for voting Akeredolu and APC, it said: “The Ondo electorate had
voted for the candidate with a proven track record of performance who will bring
about the kind of focused leadership and multi-faceted development the state
deserved,’’ assuring that Akeredolu will deliver on their expectations.
Buhari
felicitates with Akeredolu
President
Buhari while congratulating Akeredolu asked him to put behind the acrimonies
that trailed the campaigns.
A
statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr
Femi Adesina, read: “Buhari rejoices with the good people of Ondo State who
aligned with his own belief that Akeredolu with his pedigree possesses the
qualities to transform the state into the Ondo of their dreams.
“From
the beginning, this election set out to be a different kind of election. The
unity and resilience of the party was tested. I am happy we came out of this
victorious. This is a huge win. The mood today is against corruption,
insecurity and for the restoration of the economy and the creation of jobs.
This is where the party stands and I am happy that the electorate have read the
situation correctly.”
He
called on other contestants in the election to see the triumph of Akeredolu as
the wish of God and enjoined them to work together with him to make “the state
a truly progressive and economically prosperous one for all.”
The
President commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the
security agencies and the voters for the peaceful and successful conduct of the
election.
All
disaffected APC members must come together – Tinubu
National
leader of the APC, while congratulating Akeredolu on his victory urged all
“disaffected” members of the party to come together.’’ His words: “Following
the announcement by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) with
regard to the governorship elections in Ondo State, I extend congratulations to
Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN on the outcome of the election and for his
perseverance and persistence in seeking that office,” he said in a statement he
personally signed.
“I
must also congratulate the people of Ondo State for their generally exemplary
conduct on election day and for demonstrating their will to shun the regressive
politics of yesterday by returning to the progressive brand of politics that
has been the trademark of the people of that state.
“I
congratulate all party members in the state, particularly the party leadership
in the South-West.
“Finally,
I must express profound congratulations to President Muhammadu Buhari, the
national leader of the party, whose stature and dignity helped guide the APC to
another victory that should advance the progressive aims of the party and the
people. To all the people and parties in Ondo, your election has been had and
held. Now is the time that all must work for the continued development,
prosperity and peace of your state and our beloved country.
“I
appeal to all party members including those who have been disaffected from the
primary until today to come together for the good of our party and it’s
progressive ideals.”
Ondo
could not have made a better choice – Saraki
Senate
President Bukola Saraki also hailed Akeredolu, saying that Ondo could not have
made a better choice.
In
a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Saraki who noted that
Akeredolu’s victory did not come to him as surprise going by his excellent
credentials and years of preparedness for the business of governance, however
urged the Governor-elect to be magnanimous in victory by ensuring that he works
with all relevant stakeholders in the arduous task of moving the Sunshine State
to the next level.
Ondo
people made the right choice – Fayemi
In
the same vein, Fayemi, in a congratulatory message signed by his Special
Assistant on Media, Mr Yinka Oyebode, said Akeredolu’s victory at the
poll was victory for democracy as well as the people of Ondo State, who have
long clamoured for change.
The
Minister said the people of Ondo State have, through their votes, demonstrated
their preference for transformative leadership and progressive governance,
which Akeredolu represents.
Fayemi
urged them to cooperate fully with the soon-to-be- inaugurated APC-led
government which will usher the state to a new era of all-round development.
He
urged all the relevant stakeholders in the state to accept the verdict of the
people and work with Akeredolu to move the State forward.
The
minister enjoined Akeredolu to commence a process of reconciliation aimed at
uniting the party in the state.
Fayemi
noted that he was certain that Akeredolu would run a responsive and
people-oriented government in the State.
He
saluted the contestants for their maturity which contributed to the peaceful
atmosphere under which the election held.
Be
father to all, Tambuwal urges Akeredolu
Gov.
Aminu Tambuwal advised the Governor-elect to be a father to all.
In
a congratulatory message to Akeredolu issued by his spokesman, Malam Imam Imam,
he said that Akeredolu must become a father-figure to all irrespective of
political differences, adding that the onus lies on Akeredolu and the political
class in the state to work together to propel the state to growth and
development.
“At
the risk of sounding repetitive, let me reiterate what I have always said that
there is time for everything. There is time for politicking and time for
governance. Now that politicking is over in Ondo, I urge all stakeholders to
tailor their energy towards ensuring a successful transition leading to the
swearing-in of Mr Rotimi Akeredole as the new Governor of Ondo State,” he said.
Dogara
congratulates Akeredolu
Speaker
of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara while congratulating Akeredolu
via a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs,
Turaki Hassan, said that the outcome of the result was an indication that
despite the hardship Nigerians were passing through, APC, was still loved by
the people.
“The
election of Barrister Akeredolu and the APC in Ondo State is a clear indication
of the popularity of our political party. I would like to congratulate my
learned colleague on his victory at the poll.”
Ambode
fetes Akeredolu
Lagos
State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, in a statement by his Chief Press
Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, congratulated Akeredolu, President Buhari, the APC
and the people of Ondo State on the outcome of the election.
Congratulating
Akeredolu specially for his hard-fought victory, he wished the governor-elect
well as he prepares to take the mantle of leadership of Ondo.
He also urged Akeredolu to use his tenure to forge ahead with the quest to unite the Yoruba nation especially through regional integration and economic transformation of the South-West geo-political zone.
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