President Bola Tinubu, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun have joined others to felicitate with the winner of Saturday’s Ondo State Governorship election, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress, while also commending the peaceful conduct of the process.
According to a statement, the President 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, 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 his appreciation to the Nigerian Police Force, National 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.
The President 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.
SANWO-OLU
The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Campaign Council for Ondo State Governorship Election and Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has congratulated the party’s candidate, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for his victory in yesterday’s gubernatorial election.
Governor Sanwo-Olu in a congratulatory message he personally signed and issued in Akure on Sunday, shortly after Aiyedatiwa was declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) commended the people of Ondo State for their unflinching support and continued belief in the ruling party, APC.
He said the work of the campaign council was made a lot easier by the good job the late immediate past Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, had done, which has been built on by his successor, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, for the people of Ondo State.
Governor Sanwo-Olu also expressed his appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for providing the right leadership and charting the right direction to follow for Nigeria’s social-economic transformation.
He said: “I want to thank the good people of Ondo State for their unflinching support and continued belief in our great party, the All Progressives Congress, APC! This belief and support for our party have been demonstrated a number of times, including the past Governorship elections, the Local Government elections and the Presidential election that ushered in the Renewed Hope team of our leader, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“As progressives, you have stood by us through difficult times, and now, the good times are here because you came out in numbers yesterday, defying the hot scorching sun, and waited on the queues for hours to cast your ballot for our candidate, your Governor, Mr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, and his deputy, Dr. Olayide Adelami.
“As always, you roundly rejected those other political parties that represent nothing but retrogression, and you voted for progress. For this, we say thank you.”
Speaking on the collective responsibility and contributions of APC members to the party’s victory, Governor Sanwo-Olu said the results of the governorship election showed that all members of the Campaign Council and other subcommittees worked assiduously to achieve success.
He said: “As the Chairman of the National Campaign Council of our great party, APC, for the Ondo Governorship election, it is humbling for me to see that the task given to us by our party, under the able leadership of His Excellency, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, to ensure that we came out victorious was executed to the letter, and the results have shown that all members of the Campaign Council and other subcommittees worked assiduously to achieve success.
“But I must state at this juncture that our work was made a lot easier by the good job that His Excellency, the late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, had done, which has been built on by his successor, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, for the people of Ondo State. As the saying goes, you can’t build something on nothing! We only came here to build layers on the structure provided by Governor Aiyedatiwa and his team.
“It should be noted, however, that the winning streak of the APC in past months at various elections is a manifestation of the great strides that our leader, the President of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, is making in his Renewed Hope Agenda of reshaping our economy and putting the country’s socio-political system in the right direction. Our people can see this, and the massive support will further boost the party’s energy to continue her economic recovery efforts.
“As the South West Zonal Coordinator, I want to assure you that the All Progressives Congress will not break the party’s winning streak in the South West of Nigeria. After all, our zone is the home of the progressive elements in Nigeria’s political landscape. We will win more states to our fold in due course.”
Governor Sanwo-Olu also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the security agencies for living up to their commitments.
He said: “I would like to thank our leader, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for providing us with the right leadership and charting the right direction for us to follow as we work towards the country’s social-economic transformation. To the National Working Committee, NWC, of our party, led by the Chairman, His Excellency Abdullahi Ganduje, my colleague Governors, the various committee leaders and members, volunteers, and election support staff, we say thank you.
“This appreciation will not end without the mention of the local campaign committee led by the Lucky man himself, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Ondo APC chairman, Engr. Ade Adetimehin, party leaders, and all those that played one role or another in ensuring that we came home with the trophy in yesterday’s election. We say thank you all.
“In conclusion, we must appreciate and thank the security services for the good job they did. Yesterday’s election is an example of Nigeria’s Can-Do spirit! The peaceful nature of the poll should now be a pattern in future elections in Nigeria. We must also commend the election umpires, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for living up to their commitments. And to the gentlemen of the press, you have done well.”
ABIODUN
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, on Sunday, described Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s resounding victory during Saturday’s governorship election in Ondo State as an affirmation of the people’s will and endorsement of his pro-people agenda.
In his congratulatory message, Prince Abiodun emphasized that Aiyedatiwa’s victory was not only well-deserved but also a testament to the outstanding performance of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.
He said: “This victory reflects the unwavering support of the people for our party’s vision and dedication.”
The governor highlighted the APC’s focus on an issue-based campaign, which resonated deeply with the electorate.
Prince Abiodun also commended the collective efforts of all individuals and groups who contributed to the electoral success, saying that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the police, the NSCDC, among others, did a fantastic job in ensuring a free, fair and credible exercise.
He also acknowledged the leadership of the APC at both the national and state levels for their relentless commitment and perseverance, even as he remarked that the ruling party has been waxing stronger under the leadership of the National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje.
Prince Abiodun also praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his exemplary democratic principles, noting, “Since taking office, President Tinubu has championed a level playing field in our electoral processes, ensuring a fair and transparent environment for all candidates.
“This victory not only signifies a milestone for Aiyedatiwa but also reinforces the APC’s stronghold in Ondo State, paving the way for continued progress and development.”