By Our Reporter
Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has reaffirmed his commitment to driving development across the state as a way of showing gratitude for the overwhelming support he received in the recently concluded governorship election.
The Governor made this pledge at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters in Abuja, shortly after receiving his certificate of return alongside his deputy, Dr Olayide Adelami.
Expressing heartfelt appreciation to the people of Ondo State for their confidence in his leadership, Governor Aiyedatiwa highlighted the significance of the mandate renewed through their votes.
He remarked, “I cannot but express my overwhelming gratitude to the people of Ondo State who came out en masse on the 16th of November, 2024, to cast their votes for our party, the APC, and by extension, for myself and my deputy.
“The mandate you have just renewed via your huge votes across the 18 local governments of Ondo State, where we won convincingly, has placed a burden on me to serve you better than I have done in the last ten months.”
The Governor also commended INEC for organising what he described as one of the most peaceful elections in the country’s history.
He praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for providing a level playing field during the election, stating, “I cannot but also thank the leader of our party, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the leadership he has provided for our nation and our party. He was very unbiased in his approach, providing a level playing ground for all contestants during the contest.”
Additionally, Governor Aiyedatiwa acknowledged the leadership of APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, and lauded his efforts in strengthening the party’s unity and organisation.
The Governor said, “I would also like to commend the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for conducting a fair, transparent, credible, and conclusive election that returned myself and my deputy as the winners of that election.”
Earlier, Professor Kunle Ajayi, INEC’s Supervising National Commissioner for Ondo, Ogun, and Osun states, who represented INEC Chairman Professor Mahmud Yakubu, praised the electorate for their peaceful conduct.
Ajayi noted that the election was a reflection of the aspirations of Ondo State’s citizens.
“This celebration marks the culmination of a democratic process that reflects the will and aspiration of the good people of Ondo State. The voters’ attitude was generally impressive, and there was no major electoral violence incident recorded,” he said.
Ajayi also reiterated INEC’s dedication to ensuring credible elections, adding that the Ondo governorship poll exemplified the commission’s commitment to transparency and inclusivity.
“INEC remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring free, fair, credible, inclusive, and conclusive elections. The recently concluded Ondo State governorship election is a testament to our dedication to upholding these values,” he stated.
Following the presentation of the certificates, Governor Aiyedatiwa, his deputy, and other APC leaders from Ondo State visited the APC national secretariat in Abuja.
There, the Governor expressed gratitude to the party’s National Chairman, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, and the National Working Committee for their unwavering support throughout the electoral process.
