Aregbesola, Tinubu and Ambode
National leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju bola Tinubu, has congratulated the Ondo governor-elect, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, NAIJ.com has learnt.
Akeredolu was declared winner of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday, November 27.
He polled 244,842 votes against Eyitayo Jegede, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who scored 150,380 votes. Olusola Oke, the candidate of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) who reportedly enjoyed the support of Tinubu came third in the exercise.
Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos state also congratulated Akeredolu even though he had issues with Akeredolu during the electioneering. The governor-elect’s support group accused him of supporting Oke with N10 billion.
Rotimi Akeredolu was declared winner by INEC
Akeredolu also accused some south-west leaders within the APC of sponsoring the candidate of another party. He did not however mention the names of the leaders or the candidate.
Meanwhile, Governor Ibikunle Amosun, while congratulating Akeredolu in a statement by his senior special assistant (media), Adejuwon Soyinka, praised Ondo people for making the best of the choices available to them during the exercise.
“This is one choice that will bring unprecedented progress, infrastructural development as well as social and economic growth to the sunshine state.
“The victory of Akeredolu in the Ondo polls also portend a good omen for the collective development and progress of the Southwest geo political zone under the progressive socio-political and economic ideals of the APC,” Amosun said while urging the governor-elect to see his emergence as an opportunity to unite the entire people of the state.
TINUBU: It is time to close ranks
Bola Tinubu, in his congratulatory message to Akeredolu, said it was time for aggrieved members of the party to close ranks.
“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,” he said in a statement released to journalists.
While praising Muhammadu Buhari and the national chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, Tinubu said the president’s stature and dignity had helped to guide the party to another victory that should advance the progressive aims of the party and the people.
“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.
“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,” he said.
AMBODE wants Akeredolu to unite Yorubas
Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos state congratulated Akeredolu for emerging victorious at the keenly contested governorship election held on Saturday.
Governor Ambode, in a statement signed by his chief press secretary, Mr Habib Aruna, also congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari, the APC and the people of Ondo state for the outcome of the election.
He specially congratulated Akeredolu for his hard fought victory and wished him well as he prepares to take the mantle of leadership of the State.
He also urged the Ondo governor-elect 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.
Governor Ambode also congratulated the Ondo electorate for comporting themselves peacefully throughout the period of the election, while urging those aggrieved with the result to channel their grievances to the appropriate quarters rather than resort to self help.
TAMBUWAL tells Akeredolu: Be a father figure
Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto state congratulated Akeredolu and the APC and praised INEC and the security agencies for ensuring that the election in Ondo was free, fair, credible and peaceful.
In a statement issued in Sokoto by his spokesman, Malam Imam Imam, Tambuwal said with the polls over, the onus is now on the political class in the state to rally round the governor-elect to enable him administer the state for the benefit its citizens.
“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 Osun, I urge all stakeholders to tailor their energy towards ensuring a successful transition leading to the swearing-in of Mr Rotimi Akeredole SAN as the new governor of Ondo state,” the former Speaker of the House of Representatives said while urging members of the opposition to rally round the him.
To Tambuwal, the true wish of the electorate has prevailed.
While urging the governor-elect to work with all the people of Ondo to move the state forward, Tambuwal advised him to be a father-figure to all irrespective of political differences.
“All members of the APC family look forward to working with Akeredolu as the party gives Nigerians the change and progress they yearn for,” he added.
KAYODE FAYEMI sends message
The minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi, congratulated the Akeredolu for his victory in the governorship election, saying that the people of the state have made the right choice.
Kayode Fayemi
In a congratulatory message signed by his special assistant on media, Mr Yinka Oyebode, Fayemi said Akeredolu’s victory at the poll was victory for democracy as well as for the people of Ondo State who have long clamoured for change.
He also said the people of Ondo state have, through their votes, demonstrated their preference for transformative leadership and progressive governance which Akeredolu represents.
The minister urged them to cooperate fully with the soon-to-be- inaugurated APC-led government which will usher the state into a new era of all-round development.
He further urged all the relevant stakeholders in the state to accept the verdict of the people and work with Akeredolu to move the state forward.
He asked Akeredolu to commence a process of reconciliation aimed at uniting the party in the state expressing optimism that the governor-elect would run a responsive and people-oriented government.
Dr Fayemi praised all the contestants for their maturity which contributed to the peaceful atmosphere under which the election held.
He said: “Ondo state people deserve to be congratulated for the right choice they have made. They have demonstrated their confidence in Mr Akeredolu’s ability to take the state to the next level of development and prosperity.
“The state would surely witness greater level of development, judging by Mr Akeredolu’s pedigree as a highly experienced professional, tested and trusted technocrat and strategic planner.”
ARG advises Akeredolu on how to succeed
The Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG), in its congratulatory message, commended the people of Ondo state people for their faith in democracy and using the opportunity it presents to determine the direction of their future as a people.
In a statement signed by its chairman, Hon Olawale Oshun, the socio-political group also praised Akeredolu and other candidates for pursuing their ambitions within the ambit of the rule of law.
It said such maturity and statesmanship, the group said, is needed to restore the pride of Yoruba land.
“We charge Akeredolu, as the guardian of the people’s mandate, to continuously and consistently prove himself a leader worthy of his people’s trust, by constantly communicating his vision and managing the resources of the state towards the development and well-being of Ondo state.
“We also charge the people to cooperate with the governor-elect, be alert to their civic duties and keep the government on that path of straight and narrow.
“We trust that Akeredolu’s administration will prioritise good governance over partisanship, in the noble and progressive tradition of Awolowo and Ajasin, which is the main reason he earned our endorsement.”
“Most importantly, we are hopeful that in active collaboration with the governors of other south-west states, Akeredolu’s emergence will make easier the pursuit of regional integration, which has already gained credible momentum in our region.
“We therefore call on other Yoruba governors to embrace him into their fold, in the renewed spirit of brotherhood and reconciliation in south-west.
“As a pan-Yoruba sociopolitical group, ARG will continue to stand for and protect the interest of Yoruba people.”
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