After Clinching APC's Guber Ticket, Aiyedatiwa Woos Opponents, Says Now Is Not Time To Hold Grudges


Shortly after clinching the gubernatorial ticket of the All-Progressives Congress (APC) FOR THE November 16, Guber Polls in Ondo State, the state’s governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa has extended the olive branch to his opponents at the polls.

Aiyedatiwa in his acceptance speech on Sunday after defeating 15 other governorship opponents to become the candidate of the APC in Ondo said all the aspirants in the state will all gain — but at different times and that this is not the time to hold grudges.

The Matrix[b][/b] reports that Aiyedatiwa was declared the winner of the polls by the Chairman of the Governorship Primary Election Committee and Governor of Kogi State, Usman Ahmed Ododo, in the early hours of Monday, who also noted that the electoral process went “smoothly” with little skirmishes recorded.

Aiyedatiwa amassed a total of 48,569 votes in the primaries while fellow contender, Mayowa Akinfolarin, polled 15,343 votes, with Olusola Oke coming in third position with 14,865 votes, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim polled 9,456 while the former Commissioner for Finance Wale Akinterinwa polled 1,952 votes.

The gubernatorial candidate, who was deputy to the late Rotimi Akeredolu, took over the reins of the state after the latter’s demise.

The governor said a contest like the primary exercise comes with “discordant tunes”.

“Let me at this time acknowledge and thank all the aspirants who threw their hats into the ring in the family contest to be the flag-bearer: Hon. Mayowa Akinfolarin, Chief Olusola Oke, SAN, Sen. Jimoh Ibrahim, Mr. Wale Akinterinwa, Hon. Isaac D. Kekemeke, Hon. Gbenga Edema, Mr. Ohunyeye Olamide Felix, Hon. Olujimi Odimayo, Mr. Olusoji Ehinlanwo, Morayo Lebi Esq, Prince Diran Iyantan, Prof. Francis Faduyile, Engr. Ifeoluwa Oyedele, Mrs. Funmilayo Waheed Adekojo and Engr. Funke Omogoroye,” he said.

“Your participation has created so much awareness within and outside our party. You mobilized our members and removed apathy.

“You have also brought in numerous new members into the party. All of these have enriched our democracy and strengthened our party in the state.

“Democracy sometimes, after a contest like this, comes with discordant tunes. But this is not the time to hold grudges against anyone but for all of us to come together to work for the success of our great party so as to remain in power.

“We will all gain in this party, though at different times, if we keep faith. I salute your courage and keen interest to lead the State towards development. It is your right and you are qualified and worthy members of our party.

“I want to specially thank the President and Leader of our party, His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his leadership.”

Aiyedatiwa encouraged everyone to work together to build Ondo.