The main theme of congratulatory messages flowing in to Rotimi Akeredolu, All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate and winner of Saturday’s governorship election in Ondo State was that he should run an all-inclusive government and embace all and sundry when once sworn-in.
Abdulganiyu Ambali, Returning Officer in the Ondo state governorship election on Sunday declared Oluwarotimi Akeredolu winner of the poll, saying the APC candidate polled highest number of votes cast.
Announcing the result at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Office in Alagbaka, Akure, the Ondo state capital at about 1pm on Sunday, Ambali said, “I certify that Mr Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, governorship candidate of APC having satisfied the requirement of the law and scored the highest votes hereby returned as winer of the election.”
Akeredolu polled 244,842 votes out of 580,887 votes cast in the governorship election conducted across 18 local government areas of Ondo state on Saturday, just as Eyitayo Jegede of the People’s Democratic Party polled 150,380 votes, while Olusola Oke of the Alliance Democracy polled 126,889 votes.
The election results declared by the INEC Returning Officer for Ondo state governorship election showed that there were 1,647,973 registered voters in the state and 584,937 were accredited for the election, but total votes cast were 580,887 of which 551,272 votes were valid, while 29, 615 votes were rejected across the 18 local government areas of the state.
Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun state, one of the APC governors in Southwest, urged the Akeredolu to see his emergence as an opportunity to unite the entire people of the state, regardless of political affilliation or tendency.
Amosun also praised the people of Ondo State for choosing Akeredolu and the APC, adding that, “this is one choice that will bring unprecedented progress, infrastructural development, as well as social and economic growth to the sunshine state.”
Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, on Sunday advised the governor-elect , Akeredolu to be a father to all.
Tambuwal gave the advice in a congratulatory message to Akeredolu issued by his spokesman, Malam Imam Imam, in Sokoto.
He said that Akeredolu must become a father-figure to all irrespective of political differences.
Tambuwal added that the onus lies on the governor-elect and the political class in the state to work together to propel the state to growth and development.
“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 Ondo, I urge all stakeholders to tailor their energy towards ensuring a successful transition leading to the swearing-in of Mr Rotimi Akeredolu as the new governor of Ondo State.”
Tambuwal also urged members of the opposition to rally round the governor-elect, to emsure peace and sustainable development in the state.
He also congratulated the All Progressives Congress for the victory and praised the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies for ensuring free, fair, credible and peaceful election.
“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.
RAZAQ AYINLA
