Governors Akinwunmi Ambode, Ibikunle Amosun and Aminu Tambuwal of Lagos, Ogun and Sokoto on Sunday congratulated the candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, for emerging victorious in the keenly contested governorship election held on Saturday.
Akeredolu was declared winner of the polls by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), defeating his closest rival, Eyitayo Jegede, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with 244,842 to 150,380 votes, while Olusola Oke of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) polled 126,889 votes.
Ambode, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Habib Aruna, congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari, the APC and the people of Ondo State for the outcome of the election.
He specially congratulated Akeredolu for his hard fought victory and wished him well as he prepares to take the mantle of leadership of the state.
He also urged the governor-elect to use his tenure to forge ahead with the quest to unite the Yoruba nation especially through regional integration and economic transformation of the south-west geo-political zone.
Ambode also congratulated the Ondo electorate for comporting themselves peacefully throughout the period of the election, while urging those aggrieved with the result to channel their grievances to the appropriate quarters rather than resort to self help.
While congratulating governor-elect, Amosun 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.”
Amosun said “the victory of Akeredolu in the Ondo polls also portend a good omen for the collective development and progress of the Southwest geo political zone under the progressive socio-political and economic ideals of the APC.”
The Ogun State governor urged the Ondo governor-elect to see his emergence as an opportunity to unite the entire people of the state, regardless of political affiliation or tendency.
Tambuwal also congratulated the APC and praised INEC and security agencies for ensuring that the election was free, fair, credible and peaceful.
In a statement issued in Sokoto Sunday by his spokesman, Imam Imam, Tambuwal said with the polls over, the onus is now on the political class in the state to rally round the governor to enable him administer the state for the benefit its citizens.
“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 SAN as the new Governor of Ondo State,” the former speaker of the House of Representatives said.
Tambuwal urged members of the opposition to rally round the governor-elect, saying ultimately, the true wish of the electorate has prevailed.
While urging the governor-elect to work with all the people of Ondo to move the state forward, Tambuwal advised him to be a father-figure to all irrespective of political differences.
“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.
