The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued a Certificate of Return to Barrister Rotimi Akeredolu as the Ondo State Governor-elect, thereby confirming his victory in last Saturday’s governorship election in the state.
Mr. Akeredolu, of the All Progressives Congress (APC), polled 244,842 votes to beat his closest rival, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede of the PDP who polled 150,380.
Our correspondent reported that the INEC Supervising National Commissioner in the Southwest, Prince Adedeji Soyebi, presented the document on Tuesday to Mr. Akeredolu and his Deputy, Agboola Ajayi, at the commission's office in Akure.
The event witnessed the heavy presence of party supporters and members of the Akeredolu and Agboola families.
Segun Agbaje, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Ondo State, said at the event that the electoral body was humbled by the commendations it has received for its performance.
"It is important to point out that the successful outcome of the Ondo state Governorship election would not have been possible without the cooperation of the electorate who came out peacefully to vote for the candidate of their choice," he added.
He, however, asked the governor-elect and his deputy to be "magnanimous in victory" by reaching out to other candidates that participated in the election, as that would help initiate an inclusive government to harmonize the developmental plans of the candidates and transmit them into good governance for the benefit of the people.
"For those that could not make it this time, all they need to do is to go back to the drawing board to re-strategize for another time as INEC will continue to create the level playing field needed for all those that aspire to take part in any election in Nigeria."
Mr. Agbaje further stressed that INEC, under the leadership of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, will continue to sustain the credibility of the Commission.
"I, therefore, urge all of you to join hands with INEC in this onerous journey towards the entrenchment of an enduring democratic ethos in Nigeria by positively playing your role in line with the relevant laws, " the REC said.
Also speaking, Mr. Akeredolu said the people of Ondo State voted change and laid a solid platform for liberation, and explained that his victory was for the good of the people of Ondo State and not his party alone.
"It is a victory for the people of Ondo state, irrespective of which side of the divide you stood during the election. For me it is a call to service and a challenge to perform.
"Although we all had different points of view before the election, today, as members of one strong, vibrant and indivisible Ondo State family, we are all united and resolute with one single objective to save our beloved Ondo state.”
He pledged to take deliberate and decisive steps to optimally harness the overall potential of Ondo State for greatness, prosperity, peace and stability.
"Ondo state people have voted for me as Governor for a tenure of four years starting from February 25th 2017, the ball is now in my court to provide leadership that will take our people from a place of poverty and stagnation unto the path of hope and irreversible progress" he added.
Sources told SaharaReporters that the Governor-elect will be meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja following his victory.[slideshow_link align="left"]50370[/slideshow_link]
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