In a statement on Thursday, Sola Adebawo, executive administrator of the group, said Ilaje produced the second-highest number of votes to secure victory for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the October 10 governorship election.

The group stated that a strategic focus on Ilaje, the local government with the longest coastline in Nigeria, will offer an incredible opportunity for improving the economy of the state.

“The Ilaje Development Summit Group (IDSG) wishes to congratulate the Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu (Aketi), and his Deputy-elect, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, on their outstanding success at the October 10, 2020 governorship election in Ondo State,” Adebawo said.

“This represents a clear statement of trust by the people of Ondo State and a reflection of the sound judgment in the selection of Lucky Aiyedatiwa (a distinguished Ilaje son) as running mate.

“From the results of the election, Ilaje Local Government produced the second-highest number of votes after Owo (the Governor’s home LG) to procure victory for the Governor and his Deputy-elect. This is a strong indication of the unanimous support of Ilaje people for the incoming administration, which will now have an Ilaje as Deputy Governor for the first time in the 44-year history of Ondo State.

“As we look forward to the inauguration of this second term of the administration, we call for a genuine and urgent focus on Ilaje for sustainable development in neglected infrastructure and other key areas such as health, education, economy, electricity, etc., in fulfilment of the election promises and in alignment with the aspiration of our people.

“With the longest coastline in Nigeria, Ilaje Local Government offers an incredible opportunity for the coastal economy and is poised to be the mainstay of Ondo State economy as well as a strategic boost to the larger Nigerian economy.”

Adebawo described IDSG as a citizen-led initiative “to engineer coordinated sustainable development of Ilaje land through participatory partnership, strategic planning and stakeholder engagement”.

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Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has promised to work towards developing all parts of the state, irrespective of political differences.

He said last Saturday’s victory at the polls belonged to the people.

Akeredolu spoke Tuesday at the Akure office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after he and his running mate, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, received their Certificate of Return from the electoral body.

The governor polled 292,830 votes to defeat his closest rival, Eyitayo Jegede of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who got 195,791 votes.

Akeredolu said his administration would ensure equal development across the 18 local governments.

He said he would treat local governments equally whether they voted for him or not.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) standard-bearer hailed INEC for successful conduct of free, fair and credible election.

He said: “It’s a victory that a few things have been established for generations to come. We have made a statement. No one has ever won with 50 per cent. We won with over 51 per cent.

“Our re-election was a divine project. I assure the people that we will serve them in a way that they have never seen before.“

INEC chairman represented by the Supervising National Commissioner, Dr. Adekunle Ladipo Ogunmola, said the electoral umpire was committed to deepening democracy.

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The Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde, has been commended for the roles he played in the just-concluded governorship election in Ondo State, which was won by the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN).

The Oyo Kajola Group (OKG), a pan-Oyo socio-political group, stated this in a statement on Monday, noting that democrats across the nation should be proud of the robust contributions of Governor Makinde to the electoral process in Ondo state.

It added that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) should also give well-deserved commendations to the Governor of Oyo State for his outstanding contributions.

The group stated that Makinde as the leader of the PDP National Campaign Council helped in no small measure to deepen democracy and make the contest tick.

A statement by OKG’s Media Coordinator, Mr. Adebayo Ayandele, also indicated that Makinde deserves further commendation for ensuring that despite his handling of different PDP national assignments, including those in Kogi, Edo and Ondo states, he has continued to develop the state at a great pace never seen before.

The statement also indicated that Makinde has left no stone unturned in his efforts to ensure the turnaround of the state’s economy.

The group asked opposition elements in the state to apologise to Makinde over the allegation that he spent Oyo State’s money on the Ondo poll, adding that the governor had been making meaningful financial contributions to several good causes even when he was a private citizen.

“Recall that Engineer Makinde had been funding several humanitarian causes in the state for years now. He also funded his own elections, including the contest for senatorial seat in 2007 as well as the governorship bids in 2015 and 2019. Makinde did well and discharged his roles creditably in Ondo and nobody should reduce that to a jaundiced narrative about some imaginary Oyo State funds being spent on the Ondo election,” the group said.

The group also said critics of the governor have run out of sensible ideas, knocking those it described as APC attention-seekers and one Hakeem Oyedele Alao, whom it claimed is holed up in Oman and has been claiming to speak for the Alliance for Democracy (AD), which state chairman, Pastor Akinade Alamu and other leaders are part of the coalition that brought in the Makinde government.

OKG stated that having seen that the good governance being provided by the Makinde administration has knocked them off their perch, the APC elements have been seeking diversionary tactics to distract the people from the intractable crises in their party, wondering whether they were speaking for the Alao-Akala faction or the usurping Unity Forum or voicing the uncoordinated views in SENACO group.

“Let it be clearly stated that the people of Oyo State are pleased with the developmental strides being engineered by Governor Makinde and will not trade him for any of the would-be usurpers trying to supplant his good works,” the group added.

According to the group, the press conference by Governor Makinde, which raised the alarm on potential landmines in the process of the Ondo election, should be hailed as the views of a patriotic citizen who was desirous of free and fair election in the country.

“As a democrat, Governor Makinde has, again, discharged his role creditably. Though the PDP could not win the election as a result of different factors, some of which will still unravel in the not-too-distant future, it has not taken away the fact that Governor Makinde gave a good account of himself.

“Whatever happened in the course of the assignment, including but not limited to the press conference in which he, on behalf of the PDP National Campaign Council, rejected the planned appointment of a crony of the governor of Ondo state as the Returning Officer for the election, should be seen as part of the assignment and not something for opposition APC elements to criticise Makinde for.

“Apart from this, the viewpoint that some imaginary Oyo State resources were expended on the PDP governorship bid in Ondo is unfounded, thoughtless and at best diversionary.

“Where were these same elements when Makinde was deploying his personal resources to fund scholarships, bursary awards, and different elections he had participated in?

“The fact remains that the smooth running of the state under the governor has confounded many of the critics who could not understand how he has been able to regularly meet financial obligations including prompt payment of salaries, pensions and arrears of gratuity from 2010, which the immediate past APC administration left unpaid.

“They have also been surprised that he has been able to complete several projects abandoned by the APC government, while also flagging off monumental projects capable of turning around the state’s economy.

“In any case, we know that the immediate past governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, in his lifetime, got different national assignments in the APC and funded them with Oyo State’s money. At least, we are aware of the misadventures of the then state government, which led to it lending Oyo State’s resources to Osun State to offset part of the huge salary debts in 2014 ahead of that year’s election in that state.

“It is on record that the APC government in Oyo State, from that moment, could not meet basic financial obligations, owed salaries and pensions and turned Oyo to a beggarly state which had to wait for federal Government’s bailouts before fractions of salaries could be paid.

“But Governor Makinde has proved himself to be a prudent manager of men and resources and would never commit Oyo State resources to any venture that will not benefit the people of the state. He has always insisted on Oyo State people getting value for every kobo of the state. So, the opposition critics should either come up with evidence of the Oyo State’s money spent in Ondo or forever bury their heads in shame.

“We would also like to charge these opposition elements seeking relevance by attacking Makinde that they should calm down and relish the unprecedented pace of development in Oyo State under his watch. The good works already started by the governor have begun to yield positive fruits, as evident in the recent classification of Oyo State as one of the nine prosperous states by the National Bureau of Statistics.

“We can only encourage the opposition to make less noise and cooperate with the government of Engineer Seyi Makinde to make Oyo State greater otherwise, they might end up in ignominy, an end that all hypocrites cannot avoid.”

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Buhari was reacting to the re-election of Akeredolu for a second term in office.

According to the results of all the 18 LGAs announced by INEC, the incumbent Governor Akeredolu won 15 of the 18 Local Government Areas where the election took place.

Prof Idowu Olayinka, the INEC Returning Officer, declared Governor Akeredolu the winner Ondo 2020 governorship election with 292,830.

On the other hand, Eyitayo Jegede, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Nigeria’s main opposition party, polled 195,791 while Ondo Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) scored 69,127 votes.

Buhari’s congratulatory message was contained in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, titled “President Buhari congratulates Rotimi Akeredolu on re-election as Ondo governor.”

The President commended INEC for organizing a credible election.

The statement read, “President Muhammadu Buhari rejoices with Rotimi Akeredolu SAN, on his re-election as Governor of Ondo State for another four-year term.

“The President lauds the resounding victory of the Governor at the election held on Saturday, October 10, 2020, noting that the votes garnered ‘show that one good turn surely deserves another.’

“He thanks the people of Ondo State for keeping faith with their Governor, and the All Progressives Congress, noting that ‘the people know the person and party that truly serves them, and have spoken in clear voice and unmistakable terms.’

“President Buhari appreciates the electorate in Ondo State for comporting themselves decently and in order, and for exhibiting conduct that indicates that the country is making progress in its electoral behaviour.

“He also gives kudos to the Independent National Electoral Commission for organising credible, free and fair election, and to security agencies which ensured that orderliness was enthroned and maintained.

“The President urges Gov Akeredolu to be humble and magnanimous in victory, and serve the people of Ondo State even better than how he did in the first term, noting: ‘when you serve with heart and might, the people respond in like manner, and we can easily get to where we are headed as a country.’”

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He promised not to relent in making the people the centre of his administration.

Akeredolu spoke at his Owo country home residence shortly after he was declared winner of last Saturday’s governorship election.

Members of the All Progressives Congress National Campaign Council led by Lagos Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, were at his residence when the results were announced and Akeredolu declared winner.

Others present were former Ogun Governor Ibikunle Amosun; Osun Governor Gboyega Oyetola and their Kogi counterpart, Yahaya Bello amongst others.

Akeredolu said the renewal of his mandate was an eloquent testimony to the degree of acceptance by the people and affirmed that the confidence reposed in his administration remained unshaken.

Akeredolu noted that it was a statement on the people’s assessment of his performance in the last three and a half years.

The re-elected Governor said: “It is unequivocal, direct, inspiring and soul lifting. It is awesome. It is a reward for hard work, dedication, focus, honesty and patriotism. It is also a challenge to us for rededication to service in the interest of our people. On this, we shall not relent.

“The resounding victory of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), throws an open challenge to all stakeholders not to choose the path of complacency.

“We have noted the few dissenting voices of protest in this referendum. We heard them loud and clear. We intend to address genuine grievances. We shall continue to focus on the development of our God-given space, the Sunshine State.

“This administration will not be distracted in the discharge of our sacred mandate. The people will continue to be at the centre of all decisions.

“We will proceed with our administrative style which promotes transparency and accountability. We are determined to set our State, progressively, on the path of real development. Self-reliance is attainable.

“Our State has no business with poverty. Sincere, purposeful and focused leadership should have little difficulty in harnessing the vast resources, both human and natural. We will put in everything to justify the trust reposed in us.

Governor Akeredolu particularly congratulated PDP candidate, Eyitayo Jegede, for participating in the election, adding that Eyitayo’s patriotism was not in doubt.

Akeredolu described Eyitayo’s love for the people as unassailable.

He further commended INEC for conducting what he said was a free, fair and credible election.

Residents of Owo trooped to his residence with drums and bands to celebrate the victory.

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Buhari charged the governor to justify the trust and confidence of his people and ensure he continued to deliver the dividends of democracy that will lift up his state.

The President in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity Mr Femi Adesina commended Ondo voters for demonstrating maturity and by conducting themselves peacefully adding that their conduct has rubbed up positively in the comity of nations.

He also commended the security operatives for their gallant conduct in making the election peaceful.

The congratulatory letter reads:

“The President lauds the resounding victory of the Governor at the election held on Saturday, October 10, 2020, noting that the votes garnered ‘show that one good turn surely deserves another’.

“He thanks the people of Ondo State for keeping faith with their Governor, and the All Progressives Congress (APC), noting that ‘the people know the person and party that truly serves them, and have spoken in clear voice and unmistakable terms’.

“President Buhari appreciates the electorate in Ondo State for comporting themselves decently and in order, and for exhibiting conduct that indicates that the country is making progress in its electoral behavior.

“He also gives kudos to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for organizing credible, free and fair election, and to security agencies which ensured that orderliness was enthroned and maintained.

“The President urges Gov Akeredolu to be humble and magnanimous in victory, and serve the people of Ondo State even better than how he did in the first term, noting: ‘when you serve with heart and might, the people respond in like manner, and we can easily get to where we are headed as a country,” the statement reads.

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INEC Returning Officer, Prof Idowu Olayinka, declared the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner with 292,830 votes.

Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Eyitayo Jegede polled 195,791 while Agboola Ajayi of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) scored 69,127 votes.

The post Akeredolu peppers opposition, wins second term in Ondo appeared first on Sunrise News.

Ajayi, who cast his vote at the Polling Unit 004, Apoi Ward 02, Kiribo Ese-Odo local government, expressed disappointment that INEC and security agencies could not conduct free, fair and credible elections in the state.

“I observed that the turnout was very encouraging but I want to also say it the way we have seen it here, the security arrangement is a bit compromised.

“We want to appeal to security agents to live up to expectation and continue to be neutral, to ensure that every Nigerian’s vote counts. I just received a call that a senior militant in this country, (name wjitheld) who is not a member of this community, had laid sieged somewhere, telling the people to vote for APC and security men are there, watching him.

“I hereby call on the IGP to direct his men to do justice; this is injustice and barbaric; they should allow people to cast their vote freely because people are ready to vote freely,” Ajayi said.

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He, however, said despite the hitches, he would win.

Before he eventually voted, Smart Card Reader could not read his card and he was asked to step aside for other voters to vote.

Smart Card Reader could not also read PVC of Eno, Jegede’s wife but his daughter voted without any hitch.

The machine had worked perfectly until when Jegede and the wife were to cast their votes.

After about 10 minutes, Jegede and his wife voted about 11:10 am, after the machine was rectified.

Speaking to newsmen after voting, Jegede accused INEC of creating a problem, saying the commission should be asked why the card reader stopped functioning when it was his turn to vote.

He said, “INEC is creating a problem. Their machine stopped working when it was my turn to vote. I had to protest and they said the machine was rectified. But despite all these hitches, there has not been major disruption. But I don’t know what is happening in remote areas.

“The turnout has been massive, voters conducted themselves well. I am aware that there is pocket of violence in Ijomu area.

“I also heard of an incident of vote-buying.”

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She said the sponsors of the video were insane.

Mrs. Akeredolu, who spoke at their Owo residence, said the video was meant to damage the voting exercise, distort information and put it in a bad light.

he expressed optimism her husband would emerge victorious.

“People are exercising their franchise. The good thing is that people are voting in a peaceful manner. If we continue like that in all other polling unit we dont have anything to fear about violence

“We encourage people to vote and not fight. I urged people to vote in a peaceful manner so that our voices will be held.”

On viral video that she was injured, she said, “That is insane, that is absurd. That tells you how desperate people can be in politics or our political landscape.

“I am here in the ambience of my country home and somebody is there doctoring video that I was injured.

“Were you the one that injured me? Such desperation will not do any good to them.

“The detractors want to damage the exercise, to distort information and put one on a bad light. It is all false. We will emerge victorious.”

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