PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday congratulated Governor Olusegun Mimiko of the Labour Party (LP) on his declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the winner of Saturday’s gubernatorial election in Ondo State.

In a statement issued in Abuja by presidential spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati, Jonathan also commended the dutiful, patriotic and law-abiding electorate of Ondo State as well as the INEC personnel and security agencies who ensured that the elections were peacefully and successfully conducted in keeping with his administration’s commitment to making elections in Nigeria progressively better organised and more credible.

According to the statement, “as Governor Mimiko looks forward to the commencement of his second term in office, the President urges him to be prepared to work even harder to justify the fresh mandate given to him by the people of Ondo State who voted for his re-election on Saturday.

“President Jonathan assures Dr. Mimiko that the Federal Government will continue to engage constructively and positively with the Ondo State government in collaborative efforts to achieve faster socio-economic development and better living conditions for people in the state and all other parts of Nigeria. He wishes Dr. Mimiko a very successful second term as Governor of Ondo State.”

However, the National Chairman of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Chief Bisi Akande, said his party was still studying the result with a view to arriving at a final position.

In a statement yesterday, he said: “ I have just been told the final results of the Ondo State governorship election. As a party of democrats, we in the ACN have always known that the choice of who governs has always been that of the people in situations where the electoral process is transparent and credible. Therefore, all politicians worthy of their salt must always expect victory or defeat. We recognise that it is the sovereign right of the people to decide what kind of government they want. This is the challenge of democracy. Our party believes that there was and still is need for change in Ondo State. Thus, our party will study carefully the general details of the results with a view to taking a final position.

“Our party has always been and remains proud of our candidate, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), and this election has reinforced our confidence in his ability to lead and stimulate life back into the ACN in Ondo State. Through him, our party will continue to express gratitude to the leadership and general members of our party and to the electorate of Ondo State in general. We are glad that they performed that brilliantly in spite of many challenges, glaring lapses in the system and institutional inefficiency in the conduct of Ondo State governorship election.

“I must congratulate our teeming members in Ondo State on their hard work at resuscitating the party and putting it in a position of reckoning in such a short time.

“Our party will continue this post-mortem analysis of the lapses in all the institutions involved in the conduct of the Ondo election.”

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) described the victory of Mimiko as a rejection of tribal politics and narrow political adventurism by the people of Ondo State and congratulated the governor-elect.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, the PDP said: “How better do Nigerians say no to the drumbeats of tribalism and political narrowness than what the people of Ondo have just done with their votes? It is a quantum forward leap for those who understand the dangers of undue manipulation of national diversity for narrow political whims and a huge setback, utter rejection for the champions of ethnic politics.

“While we commend Chief Olusola Oke, his running-mate, members and supporters of our party, … another lesson is here for the nation, especially the opposition political parties to draw from the commitment of our great party to the full entrenchment of the legacy of free, fair and credible polls. Ostensible is the manifest unwavering devotion of President Goodluck Jonathan to the cause of democracy. He led the campaign of our party to Ondo and promised free and fair election. Free and fair election he has once more delivered.”

Afenifere leader, Reuben Fasoranti whose support for Mimiko drew flaks from the camp of the ACN, said the victory was

well-deserved and that Mimiko’s administration had justified that democracy was the best system of government.

Senate President David Mark, governors and other prominent Nigerians also congratulated Mimiko.

In a statement issued by his Chief Press secretary, Paul Mumeh yesterday in Abuja, Mark implored Mimiko to be magnanimous in victory just as he counseled losers to accept the result of the polls in the spirit of sportsmanship, stressing that politics is a game that ultimately produces winners and losers.

He advised Mimiko to bring all stakeholders in Ondo politics on board in the task of administering the state, adding that the new mandate is a challenge for greater services to the people of Ondo state.

“The majority of the electorate in Ondo State have spoken through the ballot . As the governor and leader of the state, you owe them a duty to ensure that the citizens of the state reap the dividends of their investment ( votes). You have a track record of performance . I am sure you will deliver, “ Mark said

Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu described Mimiko’s victory as the people’s verdict. Expressing satisfaction with the efforts of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies at ensuring that the poll was credible and atmosphere calm, he also commended the people of the state for their peaceful conduct.

He noted that the Ondo election has in several ways, buttressed the fact electoral reforms carried out by the sixth National Assembly through constitutional amendment has started yielding greater results.

“In the end, it is not just about who won but about a democratic, violence-free and mature electoral process, where the people freely expressed themselves,” he said.

Former governor of Oyo State and leader of the Accord Party, Rashidi Ladoja, said Mimiko’s victory was well deserved.

In a statement by the Media Director of Accord Party, Dotun Oyelade, the former governor said change was imminent especially in the South-West.

He noted that despite the intimidating influence of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) and the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), a lone party that derives its powers from the genuine desire of the people was able to win the gubernatorial race convincingly.

“Like the Labour Party in Ondo State, the strength of Accord in Oyo State is people-based. That is why it enjoys a groundswell of support from civil servants, artisans and traders who will form the bulwark when the party registration begins next month,” he said.

Delta State governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan congratulated Mimiko, saying democracy has taken roots in the country with the conduct of the election.

Uduaghan who is also the Chairman of the Advisory Council of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) of which Mimiko is member, said his victory was another testimony that free and fair elections are possible in our democracy.

Bayelsa State Governor Henry Seriake Dickson, described Mimiko’s victory as a clear reflection of the tremendous support, confidence and goodwill he enjoys from his people.

Alliance for Democracy (AD) said Mimiko’s victory as a triumph of truth over deceit and falsehood, as well as a recognition and celebration of quality over mediocrity.

The Lagos League of Political Parties (LLPP) urged Mimiko not to relent in his leadership performance.

Nigeria Advance Party described Mimiko’s victory a triumph of the forces of good over evil, light over darkness and progress over retrogression.

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