OFFICIAL STATEMENT RELEASED BY MR OLUWAROTIMI O AKEREDOLU, SAN; THE GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE OF THE ACN, ON THE GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION HELD ON THE OCT. 20, 2012 IN ONDO STATE

It is no longer news that the Returning Officer of INEC has announced the return of the incumbent Governor as elected after the Ondo election. I am conscious of the expectation of our supporters and the general public on our reaction to the outcome of the election.

Let me hasten to state that our party is studying the results and will take a decision on reports of widespread irregularities from our agents and other witnesses. I have been inundated with tales of the brazen acts of violence perpetrated by thugs during the conduct of the election. I still find it difficult to believe that our security agents played the role of partisans of injustice in some areas of the state. There are, however, incontrovertible evidences of attempts at violence and actual perpetration of same against voters before, during and after the election.

I was informed of the arrest of the State Commissioner for Special Duties, Mr Niran Sule, and the Caretaker Chairman of Owo Local Government, one Prince Ojomo, by soldiers for being in possession of firearms and large sums of money on the morning of election. The news was widely circulated and was later confirmed by several people who witnessed the show of shame. I reliably gathered that the suspects were later released.

I also heard of the heavy monetisation of the voting process, particularly by the Labour Party. I was told of the inducement of voters and violent attacks on those who refused to cooperate with them in virtually all the polling units in the state despite the intimidating presence of the security agencies deployed to protect lives and property. Owo, my hometown, was practically under siege. My unit was, nevertheless bombarded by agents of retrogression who insisted that they must make a point with my contrived defeat in my ward. The resilience of the true sons and daughters of Owo ensured that I won. Adequate security was not provided in my polling units as in most polling unit all over the State as voters were openly suborned. My people still stood firm in anticipation of change. News of the purported defeat in my ward had been sent to the internet even before counting commenced.

There were reports of the arrest of Labour Party chieftains and their sympathisers who were caught with voting materials, especially ballot papers, some few hours to the election. There was news of violence in many towns and villages of the State before, during and immediately after the election. Idanre is being mentioned for sundry reasons. Voters were prevented from voting in some areas where results were returned. Two of our supporters were reportedly killed.

Many eligible voters could not find their names on the register provided at the polling units where they had previously voted. In some polling units the number of accredited voters was less than the results released. Somebody has to explain the difference.

In view of these glaring evidences of irregularities which characterised the exercise, the leadership of the party will be meeting to decide on the next line of action.

I must not fail to thank the good people of Ondo State who supported our aspiration to effect quality change in the system. Their unflinching support and encouragement sustained me throughout my campaign. I cannot forget the show of love and genuine affection. The patience and great expectation of change displayed by all those who came to meet us during our visits to all the nooks and crannies of the State, coupled with the mournful mien worn by many people consequent upon the announcement of the result by INEC, will propel us to defend their interest.

I thank you journalists for the wide coverage given my campaign tours and the liberal spaces provided for my interviews. I express my profound gratitude to all those who provided security for me when the level of intolerance displayed became threatening.

Let me also seize this opportunity to alert Nigerians that agents of the Labour Party have continued to attack my supporters. A party which has truly won an election need not resort to violence soon after victory. Let me sound this note of warning to the hoodlums who terrorise innocent people that they will not be allowed to escape justice. The power of incumbency will not be strong enough to protect banditry.

I call on the government of Ondo State to rein in the excesses of its agents to avert crisis. Our supporters must be allowed to go about their legitimate businesses. There is a limit to what human frailty can withstand.

My undying belief in the country is sufficient to sustain me. I am equally an unrepentant democrat.
We thank our party leaders for their commitment to the project of socio-economic transformation of the region. We fervently believe that their dream will be realised in a short while. An especial mention must be made of the Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande and the national leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, We cannot thank them enough.

Our other leaders such as the Governors and Deputy Governors in ACN controlled states, Senators, members of House of Representatives and Houses of Assembly, party leaders at units, wards, local and state levels were of tremendous assistance. We praise them for their support.

As a legal practitioner of many years, impelled by the consuming passion to chart the murky waters of Nigerian politics, let me assure my friends and supporters that I am learning very fast. My undying belief in the country is sufficient to sustain me. I am equally an unrepentant democrat. I hold onto the ideals of democracy and the rule of law tenaciously. I will continue to join others who truly believe in these precepts to fight for good governance.

OLUWAROTIMI O. AKEREDOLU, ESQ. SAN.

http://campaign.aketi.org/press-statement-by-chief-akande-on-ondo-election-result/

Aketi has now become Ageku...

Drowning man

This is expected.

Hahahaha!!

congratulations for coming 3rd

THIS ****** MAN SHOULD GO AND REST, ABI HIN NEVA TIRE?

Just remembered that Pastor Bakare Prophesised or cursed ACN some days back. His prophesy has come to physical manifestation.

https://www.nairaland.com/1068125/ondo-elections-pastor-tunde-bakare

Tell the ACN goat to shut up

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If its not fair, then its fairer. Stop playing mind games for us. You don't expect a performing incumbent be unseated just because of your party's craving for power and greed. Its glaring to everyone Mimiko is a performer. Our eyes don open wella. Bleep Thief-Nubu

Yeah, surely. It is normal for the defeated team to resort to something to get some attention.

Mr Aketi want Ondo state to be resting jusat as Lagos is resting now. Ondo people are wiser than that.

It would have been free and fair had you been declared winner abi? The truth is that you contested against an imperfect but performing Governor.

Left to me, Olusola Oke would even have defeated you if Mimiko were not in the governorship race. Accept your fate and stop these needless excuses.

What else do nigerians want him to say!!

The man systematically accept defeat with the long statement!!

We will study the situation and the party executives would act on the report---

A politician way of saying, i got beaten and need sometime off!!

Rantings of a bad loser,he never stated if d election was rigged,he forget dt his backerss just wanted to milk him.Too bad salami is out of d way,Thifnubu don run go lagos.
Go home Granpa ur Old and senile

Thank u Aketi. You heard,you were told, you read; right there in ur ward where u voted I equally heard u lost to Iroko. I am sure u witness d voting dre and it was void of malpractices yet u were defeated.
BROS...u were never d peoples choice not even ur own community.
.

www.allinksandtoners.com.ng

See bros dey talk abt monetising... You sef distribute cards now? Abi?

If he had won it, the reverse would've been the case.. Acn always feel they are superior to other parties... That party is worse than cpc.. They are all bunch of ......

Uncle Akeredolu
Be graceful, don't whine like a sour looser, go back to the drawing board, re-strategize, be a blessing to the state, and maybe, maybe if you touch the hearts of Ondo state people, you will be lucky next time.

Time will tell

Stupidity is wen u ar trying to upproot IROKO tree with BROOM....immagine!!!

It was not free and fair because you lost okwa ya? I guess if it had gone in your favor, you would have proclaimed it as the freest and fairest election in Nigeria's history.

People who don`t accept defeat are pessimist.I wish he had a clear evidence of rigging other than the media report on the pages of newspaper orchestrated by their paid servants.I hope ACN will not plunge Lagos and other states in it`s hold into further financial crises in supporting Akeredolu`s decision to go to court.

Akeredolu, keep quiet!!!1

He also forgot to thank salami in anticipation,or has the corrupt 'one'not been reinstated?Loosers of Bourdillon.

Why is ACN filled with so many hot-heads and bad sportsmen?

If they're not talking about "Microsoft Excel", they're talking about "Scientific Rigging"

Most Nigerian politicians are sore losers - it was obvious right from the start that Mimiko was the people's choice. Voters are now more enlightened. In a contest between performance and party loyalty, performance wins where it's allowed to have it's way. Fashola won a 2nd term in Lagos because people were impressed by his performance and they spoke with their votes, ditto Ondo!

ACN is the new (former) PDP! Lol

See this yeye lawyer,was ur emergence as ACN flag bearer free and fair,Jagaban wanted to reward ur legal favour with Ondo's future and you're crying fowl with ur white beards.Don't worry,one of the CAN stooges in south west will appoint u attorney general of their state.Cry me a river Mr Aketi now Ageku.