‘It will bolster APC’s strength’ — Buhari congratulates Akeredolu on s’court victory

President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated Rotimi Akeredolu, governor of Ondo state, on the supreme court judgement that upheld his reelection.

Buhari said the judgement will further bolster the strength and reach of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and brighten its chances of consolidation in coming elections.

The apex court in a judgement on Wednesday, upheld Akeredolu’s victory in the October 10, 2020, Ondo governorship election.

According to a statement by Femi Adesina, presidential spokesman, the president while felicitating with Akeredolu, “urged the governor, and all elected leaders of the governing party, to always place the people first in their consideration of development programmes and projects, affirming that the popularity of the APC would continue to depend on performance and acceptance by the electorate”.

The president commended Akeredolu for working diligently for the development of the state.

“President Buhari extols the Ondo State governor for assiduously working for the development of the state, with reforms that continue to attract the goodwill of investors, and insistence that education, health and security take priority,” the statement added.

“The President notes that the Supreme Court Judgement, preceded by that of the Court of Appeal, further bolsters the strength and reach of the APC, and its bright chances of consolidation in coming elections.”

Adesina said Buhari, however, called on the opposition to “sheathe the sword, work for the development of Ondo State, and wishes the government and people a prosperous future”.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Akeredolu as the winner of the election, having polled a total of 292,830 votes to defeat Eyitayo Jegede, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, who secured 195,791 votes.

But Jegede had challenged Akeredolu’s re-election at a court of appeal, arguing that the election was marred by “irregularities, violence and intimidation of eligible voters”.

The court of appeal dismissed the appeal for lack of merit and the Jegede, expressing displeasure with the outcome, subsequently appealed the decision at the supreme court.