Oyebanji, Okpebholo, Ododo congratulate Aiyedatiwa on electoral success

Biodun Oyebanji, governor of Ekiti, and Monday Okpebholo, his Edo counterpart, have congratulated Lucky Aiyedatiwa, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), on his victory in the Ondo state governorship election.

Aiyedatiwa, the incumbent governor of Ondo, secured victory in all 18 LGAs, garnering 366,781 votes to defeat his closest rival, Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who polled 117,845 votes.

Oyebanji, in a statement issued on Sunday by Yinka Oyebode, his media aide, described Aiyedatiwa’s victory as “an endorsement of good governance under the APC administration”.

He said the outcome reflected voters’ confidence in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership and thanked residents of Ondo for reaffirming their trust in the ruling party.

“The victory recorded by Governor Aiyedatiwa and the APC places a fresh challenge on the Ondo governor to deliver even more for the state,” Oyebanji said.

He commended Abdullahi Ganduje, APC national chairman; the progressive governors’ forum; the party’s national campaign council; and other stakeholders for their hard work in securing electoral success.

The Ekiti governor also praised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its prompt collation and announcement of results, describing the process as commendable.

“On behalf of the government and people of Ekiti state, I congratulate my brother, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, on his well-deserved victory,” he added.

“We look forward to a stronger partnership between our states for the benefit of our citizens. Hearty congratulations to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for sanitising the electoral process and to the APC for this victory.”

On his part, Okpebholo, in a statement by Fred Itua, his chief press secretary, described Aiyedatiwa’s re-election as a “good omen” and pledged collaboration between their states.

“I congratulate my friend and brother, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State, for emerging victorious in last Saturday’s governorship election,” he said.

“His victory is a good omen, and I am confident we will work closely to bring peace and development to our states.

“I also appreciate the people of Ondo state for voting for Governor Aiyedatiwa. He will undoubtedly deliver prosperity to the state and Nigeria as a whole.”

Also, Usman Ododo, governor of Kogi, said Aiyedatiwa’s victory was the product of hard work and strategic planning by the leadership and members of the party, who were determined to ensure that the APC retains power in Ondo state.

Ododo, who was the deputy chairman of the committee on election management and strategy in the Ondo governorship campaign council, expressed optimism that the administration of Aiyedatiwa will “continue the development trajectory which the APC has been known for in state over the years”.

“We have known Governor Aiyedatiwa. He has been tested and can be trusted to continue the good work of the APC administration in Ondo state,” Ododo said in a statement by Ismaila Isah, his media aide.

“We have no doubt that he will build on existing infrastructure development, social welfare, and security of lives and property across the state.

“We are confident that he will succeed with this new mandate, which is a further boost to the popularity and acceptance of the APC in Ondo state.”