My victory is a rededication to service of our people- Akeredolu

Ondo State governor, Rotimi Akeredolu has said his victory in Saturday’s governorship election is a rededication rededication to service in the interest of the people in the state.

Akeredolu stated this on Sunday while addressing the people of the state after he was declared the winner of the election by the electoral umpire.

The Independent National Electors Commission had earlier declared the governor the winner of the election, after polling 292,830 votes to defeat his closest challenger, Eyitayo Jegede of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), who polled 195,791.

According to Akeredolu: “The renewal of our mandate in this election is an eloquent testimony to the degree of acceptance by you, the good people of Ondo State. It affirms that the confidence reposed in our Administration remains unshaken. It is a statement on your assessment of our performance in the last three and a half years. It is unequivocal, direct, inspiring and soul lifting. It is awesome. It is a reward for hard work, dedication, focus, honesty and patriotism. It is also a challenge to us for rededication to service in the interest of our people. On this, we shall not relent. 

“Join me in acknowledging the grace of the Almighty for the outcome of this exercise. I cannot thank you enough for the peaceful conduct witnessed generally in all the Local Government Areas of the State. I thank our security agencies for their professionalism. I thank all those whose resolve for growth in our dear State remains our steady source of inspiration.     

*We set out on the first leg of this political adventure with the determination to make the whole state our constituency. We have not relented on our mission to bridge the huge infrastructural deficit inherited on assumption of office. We hold the axiom as evident that the welfare of the people should be the only justification for the existence of government. We have allowed this admonition to be the guiding principle of governance. We are elated to receive a scorecard through this state-wide plebiscite.”

He added: “The resounding victory of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), throws an open challenge to all stakeholders not to choose the path of complacency. We have noted the few dissenting voices of protest in this referendum. We heard them loud and clear. We intend to address genuine grievances. We shall continue to focus on the development of our God-given space, the Sunshine State.”

The governor said his administration will not be distracted in the discharge of its sacred mandate.

Akeredolu said: “The people will continue to be at the centre of all decisions. We will proceed with our administrative style which promotes transparency and accountability. We are determined to set our State, progressively, on the path of real development. Self-reliance is attainable. Our state has no business with poverty. Sincere, purposeful and focused leadership should have little difficulty in harnessing the vast resources, both human and natural. We will put in everything to justify the trust reposed in us.

“I must thank the Chairman and members of the Caretaker/Extra-Ordinary National Convention Planning Committee of our party, Governor Mai Mala Buni for their cooperation and unalloyed support. I admonish them all to continue to assist the Government with the same spirit of oneness, sincerity and love. Our people stand to benefit immensely from our unity.

“I thank the security agencies for their patience throughout the exercise. I thank the gentlemen of the press for their efforts before and during the electioneering campaigns in the State. I thank all our traditional rulers, local chiefs, community leaders and youths for ensuring that there was peace in the State during the exercise.

“I congratulate my brother, Eyitayo Jegede, SAN, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party for participating in this historic process. His patriotism is not in doubt. His love for the people is unassailable. He is indeed a worthy adversary. Our State is indeed blessed for having people of his quality.

“I commend the Chairman and staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission for conducting an election perceived generally as free, fair and credible. I congratulate the people of the State for having the benefit of altruistic service for another four years.

“I thank the President and commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, for the support and love. I salute his courage in the defence of the tenets of democracy. I also acknowledge my brother and Learned Silk, the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, GCON of his support. Let me equally acknowledge the unflinching support of the National Leader of our great party Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Posterity will remember them for good.

“I must acknowledge the Chairman Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and members of the APC Campaign Council for their hard work which has given us this well deserved victory. Also, I must not fail to recognize the Chairman of our great party in Ondo State, Engr Ade Adetimehin and members of the State Working Committee for their resilience. 

“I thank the Almighty for this overwhelming victory and make this solemn pledge not to betray this most liberal trust reposed in me by the people of the state.”