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President Muhammadu Buhari, Ekiti State governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State have congratulated Ondo State governor, Rotimi Akeredolu on his victory in Saturday’s governorship election in the state.
In a statement signed on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, Buhari lauded the resounding victory of Akeredolu, noting that the votes garnered “show that one good turn surely deserves another.”
The president thanked the people of Ondo State for keeping faith with their governor, and the All Progressives Congress (APC), noting that “the people know the person and party that truly serves them, and have spoken in clear voice and unmistakable terms.”
Buhari appreciated the electorate in Ondo State for comporting themselves decently in orderly manner, and for exhibiting conduct that indicated that the country is making progress in its electoral behaviour.
He also gave kudos to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for organising credible, free and fair election, and the security agencies which ensured that orderliness was enthroned and maintained.
The president urged Akeredolu to be humble and magnanimous in victory, and serve the people of Ondo State even better than how he did in the first term, saying: “when you serve with heart and might, the people respond in like manner, and we can easily get to where we are headed as a country.”
Similarly, Fayemi in a statement in Ado-Ekiti on Sunday, said Akeredolu’s electoral victory was an attestation to the fact the electorate would always reward a performing leader and administration with their votes.
Fayemi also 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.
The Ekiti State governor also congratulated the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for proper coordination. He also lauded the leaders of the party in Ondo State for closing ranks ahead of the election and working together to achieve victory for the party.
The Ondo State experience, he says, should be a wake- up call for the party that effective coordination and sincerity of purpose are necessary for electoral victory.
“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.
Fayemi urged the APC leadership to build on the electoral success in Ondo State for future elections.
“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,” Fayemi added.
Also, Oyo APC in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Dr AbdulAzeez Olatunde, said: “The people of Ondo State had passed through horrific governance experience under PDP 12 years and had been surprised at the unparalleled achievements and developments under APC government ably led by Gov Rotimi Akeredolu a.k.a AKETI for only four years (2016-2020) and as such would not allow their progress to be retarded again.”
It added: “On behalf of all the APC members in Oyo State, we wish Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) another landmark achievements in his second term.
“We also Congratulate Engr Ade Adetimehin led APC State Executives in Ondo State for this Phyrric victory.
“Finally, it is expedient for Gov Seyi Makinde to render PUBLIC APOLOGY to the good people of Oyo State for bringing the name of the state into PUBLIC OPPROBRIUM with his undignified and senseless infraction into INEC assignment, by meddling in the issue of the appointment of CHIEF RETURNING OFFICER for the Ondo State Gubernatorial Election.”