Buhari: Ondo poll tested APC’s unity, but we emerged victorious

President Muhammadu Buhari says Saturday’s Ondo governorship election tested the unity of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Crisis had brewed in the APC after Rotimi Akeredolu, governor-elect, emerged the party’s candidate, defeating Segun Abraham, Bola Tinubu’s preferred candidate in a primary election.

Tinubu had accused John Oyegun, APC national chairman, of manipulating the election and of threatening the democracy of the party.

He was subsequently absent from the campaign rallies of Akeredolu even when the president was there.

But in a statement issued by Femi Adesina, presidential spokesman, on Sunday, the president expressed happiness that the party came out victorious in spite of the trials.

“President Muhammadu Buhari heartily congratulates the governor-elect of Ondo state, Chief Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on his well-deserved victory in the Saturday, November 26 governorship election in the state,” the statement read.

“President Buhari also congratulates the chairman of the APC, Chief John Oyegun, the chairman of the campaign committee, Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau state, and all party faithful who put in their best and braved the odds to ensure a successful outing for the flag bearer.

“The president rejoices with the good people of Ondo state, who aligned with his own belief that Chief Rotimi Akeredolu, with his pedigree, possesses the qualities to transform the state into the Ondo of their dreams.

“From the beginning, this election set out to be a different kind of election. The unity and resilience of the party was tested. I am happy we came out of this victorious,” Buhari was quoted as saying.

“This is a huge win. The mood today is against corruption, insecurity and for the restoration of the economy and the creation of jobs. This is where the party stands and I am happy that the electorate has read the situation correctly.”

He urge the governor-elect to assemble his team, bring the much-desired change to the people, and “to put behind whatever acrimonies may have arisen from the electioneering process, and reach out to all well-meaning people in the state and beyond, to implement his vision”.

The president assured Nigerians that the APC-led administration under his watch was committed to playing by the rules, and that there would be no let-up “until we see the great nation of our dreams in all spheres of national development”.