Re-elected Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has dedicated his victory in the recently concluded governorship election to his late predecessor and mentor, Rotimi Akeredolu.
Speaking with deep emotion during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Aiyedatiwa paid heartfelt tribute to Akeredolu, who passed away in December last year after battling prostate cancer.
Reflecting on his late principal’s absence, Aiyedatiwa remarked, “The Lord gives and takes, but today he is no more. How I wish he was present in that banquet hall when I was declared in the company of other brother governors. That would have been really good, but God knows better.”
Aiyedatiwa, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), secured a landslide victory in Saturday’s election, polling 366,781 votes to defeat his closest rival, Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who garnered 117,845 votes. His re-election solidifies his position to lead the Sunshine State for another four years.
Congratulatory Messages Pour In
Following the election results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), congratulatory messages have continued to pour in for Aiyedatiwa. Among the well-wishers was President Bola Tinubu, who lauded the peaceful conduct of the election and praised the maturity displayed by all political actors involved.
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu extended his congratulations to Aiyedatiwa, saying, “The President urges candidates dissatisfied with the outcome of the election to explore the opportunities provided by the judicial system to seek redress on areas of conflict.”
Tinubu further expressed satisfaction with the electoral process, commending INEC, the police, and other security agencies for their professionalism. “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 statement read.
A Legacy of Civility and Democracy
Governor Aiyedatiwa highlighted the significance of the election, describing it as a reflection of the APC’s pro-people policies and the confidence of Ondo residents in his administration’s agenda. He also acknowledged the critical role his late predecessor played in shaping his leadership journey, ensuring continuity and progress for the state.
