Ondo State governor, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Monday asked all the aspirants who contested the primary election with him on Saturday to join him in moving the state forward, and consequently win the November 16 governorship election in the state.
Aiyedatiwa who said that the outcome of the exercise should not be used to hold grudges with anyone, urged other aspirants to come together to work for the success of the party to remain in power in the state.
Recall that Aiyedatiwa was declared the winner of the primary election conducted on Saturday and Sunday by a seven-man Primary Election Committee of the APC, led by Governor Usman Ododo of Kogi State.
The Ondo State governor scored 48, 569 votes to defeat his closest opponent, Akinfolarin Mayowa who scored 15, 343 votes; Chief Olusola Oke who scored 14,915 votes, and Senator Jimoh Ibrahim scored 9,456 votes, to come third and fourth respectively.
In his acceptance speech, however, the governor said the aspirants’ participation has created so much awareness within and outside our party, adding that “you mobilised our members and removed apathy. You have also brought in numerous new members into the party. All of these have enriched our democracy and strengthened our party in the state.”
According to him, “We will all gain in this party, though at different times, if we keep faith. I salute your courage and keen interest to lead the state towards development. It is your right and you are qualified and worthy members of our party.”
Aiyedatiwa further specially thanked President Bola Tinubu for his leadership; Vice President Kashim Shettima, the National Chairman of the APC, Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje, the APC governors, National and State Working Committees of the party and all stakeholders in the state for their forthrightness in the processes leading to his emergence as the flag-bearer for the party.
He further hailed all traditional rulers, institutional heads, civil servants and all the stakeholders who endorsed him as their preferred candidate.
“I also thank all the party leaders, including the APC Aborigines, members of the campaign team and all others who toured the entire 18 local government areas together with me to engage with our party members. I do not take for granted the love shown to me by our members across the state,” he said.
He appealed that all hands must be on deck to join hands together with him towards “building the future that we all yearn for in Ondo state.”
“Now, more than ever before, the greatness of Ondo State is what matters the most. I therefore request that we all join hands together in building the future that we all yearn for in Ondo State.
“There is infrastructure to be built; better healthcare services to be delivered; fair justice to be served; qualitative education to be ensured; civil servants to be trained and motivated; security of lives and properties to be strengthened; enabling the environment to be created for businesses to thrive and attract investors,” Aiyedatiwa said.
