INEC Declares APC’s Aiyedatiwa winner of Ondo governorship election

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Aiyedatiwa’s victory after he won all 18 local government areas of the state.

According to the State Returning Officer, Prof Olayemi Akinwumi, APC’s Aiyedatiwa garnered a total of 366,781 votes to defeat his closest rival, PDP’s Agboola Ajayi, who polled 117,845 votes.

“That Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa of the APC having satisfied the requirement of the law is hereby declared the winner and is returned elected,” the returning officer said at the INEC collation centre in the state capital, Akure.

Aiyedatiwa -a former deputy governor- became Ondo state governor after the death of former governor, Rotimi Akeredolu on December 27, 2023.

In the build-up to the 2024 polls, he unsurprisingly clinched APC’s ticket.

After casting his vote on Saturday, Aiyedatiwa expressed optimism citing the works he had done in his 10 months as governor.

“I believe I’m in an advantaged position to win this election because of the work that I have done in the last 10 months since I assumed office as the governor of the state,” he said.

“We traversed the entire 18 local governments; and visited communities all across.”

Meanwhile, PDP’s Agboola accused INEC of conducting “a very shameful exercise”, while also calling for the commission’s chairman, Prof Yakubu Mahmood’s resignation.

“The system is compromised and I have had a series of calls today. People are complaining about vote buying and the BVAS is not working,” he said on Saturday after voting.

“It is a very shameful exercise and I think Nigerians should just call on the chairman of the electoral commission Prof Mahmood Yakubu. If you cannot do the job, please just honourably resign. He should resign. This is embarrassing. It [election] is totally compromised.”

ACCEPTANCE SPEECH DELIVERED BY THE GOVERNOR OF ONDO STATE, HIS EXCELLENCY LUCKY ORIMISAN AIYEDATIWA AT THE OFFICIAL DECLARATION OF THE RESULTS OF ONDO 2024 GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION BY THE INDEPENDENT NATIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION ON SUNDAY, 17TH NOVEMBER, 2024.

My fellow citizens of Ondo State, I stand before you this day, on the threshold of history, to accept the results of the 2024 gubernatorial elections held in our Sunshine State. I must say that I feel greatly humbled and honoured by this renewed mandate you have given me to continue in office as your Governor. I am overwhelmed with gratitude and I pledge to work tirelessly to justify the trust you have reposed in me.

2. Let me commend the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for conducting a free, fair, and credible election. The security agencies across board are also deserving of our gratitude for being very professional in their assignment and maintaining peace throughout the exercise.
3. I must appreciate the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Asiwaju Bola Amhed Tinubu, GCFR for providing exemplary leadership and also ensuring a level playing ground in the just concluded election. I also thank my party, All Progressives Congress, under the able leadership of the National Chairman, Alhaji Abdulahi Umar Ganduje, the National Campaign Council of Ondo Governorship Election led by the Governor of Lagos State, His Excellency Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, We have enjoyed your unwavering support throughout this journey. To the State Chairman and Working Committee of our Party, Campaign team, my family and friends, we couldn’t have achieved this huge success without your love, commitment, encouragement, and hard work. I also acknowledge and thank members of the Press for your effective coverage of the voting exercise.
4. As your Governor, I promise to continue to run an inclusive and participatory government, where every citizen has a voice and an opportunity to contribute to our collective progress. We will continue to prioritize the welfare of our people, foster economic growth, and ensure that our state remains a beacon of hope and prosperity for generations to come.
5. Now that the elections are over, it is time to rededicate ourselves to the service of our dear State. I therefore want to extend a hand of fellowship to the opposition parties and to invite you to collabortlate with us in the onerous task of building a better Ondo State for the overall good of our people. Let us put aside our differences and work together to create a brighter future for ourselves, our children, and our communities.
6. Finally, I dedicate this victory, first to the Almighty God and second, to the memories of our departed leader and former Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN, CON.
7. Thank you and God bless.