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Tag: Inec

  • INEC was unfair to PDP, says Jegede

    INEC was unfair to PDP, says Jegede

    Former Ondo State Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) governorship candidate Eyitayo Jegede (SAN) spoke with reporters in Akure, the state capital, on the November 26 poll won by Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) of the All Progressives Congress(APC), the faulty card readers and other issues. DAMISI OJO reports.

    What is your assessment of the recent governorship election in Ondo State?
    Well, we give glory to God. Under a democratic dispensation, elections ordinarily should represent the will and the wishes of the people. And that is why we have INEC, given such enormous powers as to prepare for credible election, fix dates of elections, and ensure that election at all time is free and fair. Speaking from my personal experience, I think this is one election that ordinarily has posed a challenge to all of us and has also tested the principles of democratic dispensation.
    You will recall that, on the 27th of October, My name was taken out of the candidates in the election that was fixed for 26th of November. You will also recall that through court intervention to have my name restored to the ballot was achieved two days to the election. You’ll recall also that my party and I requested for postponement of the date of election, to still fall within the period envisaged under the electoral act. Regrettably and most unfortunately, INEC refused, declined to postpone that election, to enable us have a fair playing ground. And the reason for seeking that postponement was basically one, to enable us have the voters register that is very critical and important to the election; two, to enable us have my name on the website of INEC and introduce me as a candidate. Thirdly, to allow myself and my party to submit the list of agents for the purpose of that election.
    The request was not granted. So, we were forced to go to election on Saturday, November 26. In other words, we had only one day to campaign for this election. Against that background, this is one election that, as far as I am concerned, did not meet with the basic tenet of fairness and has not afforded all the candidates equal opportunity of presenting their position top the electorate.
    But, because it’s not about myself, it’s about the people, Nigeria as a nation and also for the purpose of history, it is important that we have a credible, independent electoral body. And all those games that are playing out in our democratic experience now were not there when the former President Goodluck Jonathan was at the helm of affairs. Interestingly, you cannot beat your chest and say there is any credible election again in this country. All those characters that had cause to truncate the will of the people should sit back and realise that they are the enemies of this country.
    Are you considering any legal action, in view of the infractions that you have highlighted?
    I have 21 days to do that. I don’t have to take any hasty decision, but I am also weighing all my options. I will tell you the truth. There are two schools of thought. Some say ‘challenge’, some say ‘don’t challenge’. For me, I am more interested in the Nigerian project. I am more interested in building a very credible democratic experience for our people. And I do know that four years in the life of a nation is just a small part of it. I know that opportunity will still come for our people to choose who their leaders should be. I do hope that next time, there will be an improvement in the conduct of elections. And I have had cause to congratulate Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, who was declared the winner by INEC. I have had cause to thank all those who voted for us and even those who did not vote for us. I have had cause to tell our people that even though we were adjudged to have lost the election but we won the heart of the people. I believe that all of us must make sacrifices.
    And despite the heavy monetisation of the electoral process, there comes a time in a man’s life that you just move on.
    In Ondo’s PDP, people look up to you for leadership. Apparently, the party is not going to be in power at the state’s helm of affairs for the next four years.
    How do you intend to re-build and stabilise the PDP?
    I don’t know what you mean by ‘the party will not be in the helm of affairs for the next four years’. I think it is too early to determine that. I think it is just too early.
    People are also talking about re-alignment of forces among political parties. What do you envision?
    I believe there would be, in the fullness of time. I believe there will be adjustments, there will be re-alignments. I believe also that there will be a lot of shaking in the political space after following the elections of Ondo State. I believe that politicians will adjust. I believe there would be a very credible platform that will do away with the whole garbage of the past and come up with a new vision.
    Finally, the outcome of the governorship election in your home base, which is Akure North and Akure South, has really rattled a lot of observers. What do you think actually went wrong?
    Well, I did complain that day. One; that the card reader machine is now the most potent threat to our democracy. Now, go and do your check and you’ll find that the card reader machine is a new innovation that has to statutory backing. It’s not in the constitution nor is it in the electoral act. And if you go and check, you will find out that one machine has a central server that controls it from Abuja. And it can be shut down. And that is a matter of fact that it is possible to manipulate that machine. Sometimes you see some of them not working, others working slowly, others working normally. It is the outcome of manipulation and adjustment of that machine. It’s like any other electronic system. It depends on what you feed into it. That is what it brings.
    And I had complained on the day of election, from a good number of polling stations, where the card reader was not working at all. We also had instances where it was slow, and I complained to the Resident Electoral Commissioner. He said he had instructed that where the card reader is not working, they should use the incident forms. Now, why did you deploy a card reader that is not working? Now you know that that machine is not reliable, it’s not credible, it malfunctions, it will not assist. And you also know that the cause of the non-reliability and malfunctioning of that machine and you provided incident forms. Now where you have hundred voters on the queue and the machine would not capture these hundred, and then you produced 10 incident forms, what happens to the other 90 prospective voters? And why do you interpose a very unreliable machine in our electoral system? Whose interest are they serving? Why do you keep on using malfunctioning card reader to disenfranchise the majority of the people, when you know that it is not a machine that has a foothold in the constitution or would find comfort with the electoral act?
    Why would somebody sit down and write under guideline, that you should use a machine that would not find comfort with our electoral laws and procedures? The law says that if you have your name on the voters register, and you have your voter’s card, then you are eligible to vote, you are a voter. But the machine says if you don’t pass through machine, you cannot vote. Does it make sense? So, the introduction of the card reader is a self-serving mechanism, meant to disrupt and influence our electoral system. And the earlier we do away with it, the better for all of us. That is my personal opinion. And I am saying this because I know that I took part in the elections of 26th of November. I know what happened.
    Again, you’ll also recall that openly, there was heavy monetisation of the democratic process, and the security agents looked away. Again you find out that while some people campaigned for three months, two months, one month, one of the leading candidates was not allowed to campaign at all. Is that system fair? Some have said that ‘well, it is the internal matter of PDP’. But they should think deeply. Was it PDP that said ‘remove the name’? Was it PDP that removed the name? The truth of it is that, there had been third-party intervention in the affairs of a particular political party, by others who are outside that party. And they have used government institutions to thwart the will of the people. And I don’t think that is fair. We’ve complained, and I believe and hope that INEC would try to be independent.

  • Abe urges INEC, security agencies to ensure credible polls

    Abe urges INEC, security agencies to ensure credible polls

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Rivers Southeast in the legislative rerun, Senator Magnus Abe, has urged Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to ensure a level-playing field in the December 10 rerun.

    Speaking on Channels Television programme, Sunday Politics, Abe said APC was not asking for INEC and security agencies to favour the party, but demands that every voter be allowed to cast his vote without molestation.

    He said: “I am amused by some of the things I was hearing from the governor of Rivers State. First, let me say this: I think it is important that before anyone holds any office, he should understand what is expected of the office he holds. I believe that in all this, part of the problems we are having is that probably the governor of Rivers State has not taken time to study the Constitution and to understand his role as a governor.

    “If anything, it is the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State that has received a lot of help from INEC. I have said it before, I can count the number of favours that INEC has done for the PDP. Let Wike mention one favour that INEC has done for APC. We don’t want any favour from INEC. What we want is a level-playing field where all parties can compete fairly.

    “Let me give you an example. In the last rerun, some of the seats in the election were inconclusive. The rule of the election put forward by INEC clearly says that where the margin of win is less than the number of voters that have voted, that election is inconclusive. So, those people who have not voted should be allowed to vote before those seats can be returned.

    “But in the last election, over seven seats, which were inconclusive, were returned in favour of PDP. We shouted all over, nobody responded to that.

    “In this December 10 election, the date was first pronounced by Governor Wike. He announced it when he met with some people that INEC was telling him that the election would hold on December 10. Where did he have that meeting with INEC, where that date was given to him? We were not invited to that meeting. That is not what the rule of this election says. There is no special provision for governors when it comes to electoral matters. He is an interested party in the election and he cannot have any meeting with INEC where we are not part of, where sensitive information, such as the date of the election, would be divulged to him alone.”

  • Rivers governor’s comment on rerun dangerous, says INEC

    Rivers governor’s comment on rerun dangerous, says INEC

    The  Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has condemned Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike for accusing the commission of conniving with some people to rig next Saturday’s rerun in the state.

    INEC said the governor’s comment was dangerous and capable of inciting the people to commit violence.

    Wike had accused INEC of releasing a list of ad hoc workers of allegedly being dominated by All Progressives Congress (APC).

    According to him, INEC included an APC ward chairman and ward secretaries as assistant presiding officers.

    But in a statement by its Chief Press Secretary, Rotimi Oyekanmi, INEC said: ”The commission condemns, in very strong terms, the relentless false allegations, provocative and dangerous comments being made by some political actors, especially the Governor of River State, Mr. Nyesom Wike, against the commission, all of which are capable of inciting people to commit violent acts that could derail the election.

    “We appeal to stakeholders to henceforth refrain from making pronouncements that could either overheat the state or instigate their followers to violence. We also appeal to all the political parties and their supporters to abide by extant laws governing the electoral process.

    “We wish to reassure all Nigerians that the commission will remain impartial and committed to conducting credible, fair and transparent elections at all times.”

  • Rivers re-run: Your comments provocative, INEC tells Wike

    Rivers re-run: Your comments provocative, INEC tells Wike

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has condemn Governor Nyesom Wike over his comment about the Commission.
    INEC said the governor’s comment was dangerous and capable of inciting people to commit violence.
    Wike had accused INEC of releasing an APC dominated list of ad-hoc staff, for the December 10 rerun elections. According to him, INEC had included APC ward chairmen and ward secretaries as assistant presiding officers.
    But in a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Commission, Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi, the commission strongly condemned the governor, stating that his comments were capable of inciting the people to commit violence.
    The commission therefore appealed to stakeholders to henceforth refrain from making pronouncements that could either overheat the state or instigate their followers to violence.
    The commission also reassured Nigerians it’s  impartiality and commitment  to conducting credible, fair and transparent elections at all times.
    The statement reads:  ” Commission condemns, in very strong terms, the relentless false allegations, provocative and dangerous comments being made by some political actors, especially the Governor of River State, Mr. Nyesom Wike against the Commission, all of which are capable of inciting people to commit violent acts that could derail the election.
    “We appeal to stakeholders to henceforth refrain from making pronouncements that could either overheat the state or instigate their followers to violence. We also appeal to all the political parties and their supporters to abide by all the extant laws governing the electoral process.
    “We wish to reassure all Nigerians that the Commission will remain impartial and committed to conducting credible, fair and transparent elections at all times.”
    The Commission hereby restates its determination to conclude the elections in Rivers State in a free, fair, and transparent manner on the said Saturday, 10th December 2016.
    The recent Edo and Ondo governorship elections, according to the commission, “eloquently speak of the feat that can be achieved if all stakeholders do the needful.”
    The Commission also stated all the various efforts made to ensure that the elections were concluded, which include stakeholders meetings.
    After months of wide consultations with stakeholders aimed at creating a conducive atmosphere, the Commission announced on 3rd November 2016  that the elections would hold on Saturday 10th December 2016.
    It will be recalled that in obedience to court orders resulting from disputes over the 2015 General Elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) conducted re-run elections in Rivers State on 19th March, 2016, to fill various seats in the National and Rivers state House of Assembly. Unfortunately, the outbreak of violence forced the Commission to suspend the exercise.

  • Lagos by-election: APC candidate wins Reps seat

    Lagos by-election: APC candidate wins Reps seat

    Mr Nurudeen Akinwunmi, Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Saturday defeated his opponents to emerge winner of the Ifako-Ijaiye Federal Constituency By-Election in Lagos.

    The returning officer of the election, Prof. Clement Aghatise, made the declaration at the INEC office in Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government, minutes before midnight.

    Declaring the winner, Aghatise said that Akinwunmi polled 7640 votes to defeat his closest rival, Mr Babatope Akinyele, candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who polled 1771 votes at the poll.

    According to him, Social Democratic Party (SDP) polled five votes, Action Alliance (AA) had 14 votes, African Democratic Congress (ADC) had 158 votes while Alliance for Democracy (AD) had 101 votes.

    Aghatise said that the total number of registered voters was 339, 864; total number of accredited voters was 10, 051; total number of valid votes was 9689; the total number of invalid votes was 195, while the total votes cast were 9884.

    ”I, Prof. Clement Edokpayi Aghatise, hereby certify that I was the Returning Officer for the Ifako/Ijaiye Federal Constituency By-Election held on Dec.3, 2016.

    ”That the election was contested, that Mr Akinwunmi Nurudeen Olaitan of APC, having satisfied the requirements of the law and scored the highest number of votes is hereby declared the winner and he is returned elected, ” he said.

    Some of the party representatives who spoke to NAN expressed mixed reactions to the results.

    Mr Chidi Williams, an ADC party agent, expressed dissatisfaction with the process.

    ”There were a lot of malpractices; it was not really free and fair. We had records that some people who had lost their PVCs were allowed to vote in some polling units.

    ”We want INEC to detach itself from political parties and not allow itself to do what is unethical. INEC should work more on neutrality, ” he said.

    A PDP representative at the collation centre, Mr Sunday Kudehindu, also said he were not satisfied with the process, stressing that the ruling party had continued to induce voters with money.

    Kudehindu said that INEC had not totally become an unbiased umpire.

    The APC representative at the centre , however, refused to talk to press, saying that he had received an instruction not to grant interview.

    NAN reports that the by-election was occasioned by the death of Mr Elijah Adewale, who represented the constituency at the Federal House of Representatives.

    Adewale died in Abuja on July 20.

  • Low turn out for Lagos by-election

    Low turn out for Lagos by-election

    The bye-election in Ojokoro area of the Ifako/ Ijaiye Federal Constituency of Lagos State is going on smoothly, though low turn out was recorded.
    Some of the adhoc staff like National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) arrived the venue of their primary assignment early on Saturday morning.
    The security situation was normal with movement on a skeletal note. The turn out of voters has not been too impressive. At The African Church, unit B polling station, Ojokoro, out of 400 registered voters only 10 had registered and voted as at 11 am.
    Most of the staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC) were waiting for voters at press time.

  • Lagos bye-election: Parties sign peace agreement

    Lagos bye-election: Parties sign peace agreement

    Ahead of Saturday`s Federal House of Representatives by-election into Ifako-Ijaiye Federal Constituency, some political parties in Lagos State on Friday signed a peace agreement

    The parties signed the agreement in Lagos at a meeting with Mr Fatai Owoseni, the State`s Commissioner of Police and INEC officials.

    The parties included APC, PDP, SDP and ADC, while AA and AD had no representatives.

    ”The main reason for this meeting is for stakeholders to have understanding on the need for a peaceful election; it is an opportunity for candidates to sign an undertaking for a peaceful exercise, ’’Owoseni said.

    He said that security officers drawn from the Police, Military, Civil Defence Corps and the Directorate of State Security (DSS) would be deployed to ensure the security of lives and properties during the election.

    The police commissioner said that there would be restriction of movement in the constituency between 12 midnight on Friday and the period of the election.

    Owoseni warned candidates and their supporters against violence, and told trouble-makers to stay away from areas where elections would be held.

    ”Political office holders are warned from moving freely with their security aides during the election. No vehicle is permitted to go close to any polling booth.

    ”The accreditation and voting will commence same time, anyone with observation should reach the officials and not to take laws into his hands.

    “As candidates and leaders to be, you must be able to control your supporters and agents to be of good behaviour,” he said.

    The INEC supervising officer for the South-West, Chief Shoyebi Adedeji, said that all sensitive materials had been distributed to all the wards in the state.

    Adedeji said Lagos State was the least volatile state in the country, stressing that INEC was expecting to see this on Saturday.

    It would be recalled that the former representative of Ifako-Ijaiye Federal Constituency, Mr Adewale Elijah, slumped and died in his house in Abuja in July.

  • INEC presents certificate of return to Akeredolu

    INEC presents certificate of return to Akeredolu

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Wednesday presented the Governor-elect, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN his certificate of return.

    Akeredolu was accompanied to the event which was held at the INEC headquarters in Akure, the state capital by his wife, Betty.

    Other dignitaries at the event include the State Chairman of the party, Mr. Isaac Kekemeke, his deputy, Engr. Ade Adetimehin, former deputy governor, Alhaji Ali Olanusi, Director-General of Akeredolu’s campaign platform, Hon. Victor Olabimtan, Femi Agagu, Hon. Kehinde Henry Bello, Oladunni Odu among others.

    Akeredolu, said the victory is not for him or APC alone but for the good people of the state.

    He said “it is a victory for the people of Ondo State, irrespective of which side of the divide you stood during the election.

    “For me it is a call to service and a challenge to perform. Although we all had different point of view before the election but today, as members of one strong, vibrant and indivisible Ondo State family, we are all united and resolute with one single objective to save our beloved state.

    “I cannot thank enough, my fellow compatriots during this election, who had a separate conviction and voted elsewhere.

    “They took the guts to answer the call of democracy to make a choice. I believe it is these resounding voices that have created this worthy moment which is making this victory real and refreshing.”

    “With this new dawn, it is now time to rediscover and reinvent ourselves. It is time to find what we lost, to rescue this land and its people from the myriad of poverty and pains which daily assail their lives.

    “As patriots, it is now time to unit and revamps our fortunes. As governor, we will take deliberate and decisive steps to optically harness our overall potential for greatness, prosperity, peace and stability”

    The governor, however commended the INEC and the security agencies for organising what he described as most credible, transparent, free and fair election.

    The INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr. Olusegun Agbaje denied that the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying “this is not only untrue, but highly embarrassing.

    On why he could not postponed the election despite the complaint of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede SAN, Agbaje said there was no justification to do so.

    He noted that it is most unlikely that the West African Examination Council (WAEC) would postpone any of its scheduled examinations simply because of its candidate in a secondary school was sick or wounded.

  • Ondo governorship poll and INEC

    Ondo governorship poll and INEC

    After months of bitter political campaigns, the fiercely contested Ondo State gubernatorial election finally reached its conclusion with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declaring the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Olurotimi Akeredolu, winner with 244,842 votes. Akeredolu clinched the exalted political position  in the Sunshine State by defeating his closest rivals – Eyitayo Jegede of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Olusola Oke  of the Alliance of Democracy (AD), who polled 150,380 and  126,889 votes  respectively.
    But unlike the just-concluded United States presidential election result which sent shockwaves around the world, the Ondo poll did not betray the expectations of many political pundits who had earlier tipped Akeredolu as one to beat in the race.
    The election has been largely adjudged as not only free and fair but also credible by all the election observers and participating political parties. Many have also gone as far as scoring INEC as high as 99 per cent in the conduct of the election, particularly observers.
    While the Prof. Mahmood Yakubu-led INEC left no one in doubt that it is ever and fully competent and committed to credible election as exhibited in Ondo State, the November 26, poll has also drawn a pocket of criticism from some elements on issues bordering on pre-election matters.
    The governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, fired the first salvo on the electoral umpire. Fayose, who reportedly accused the commission of complicity in the run-up to the election, said that the PDP went to the election with its hands tied to the back because of the uncharitable actions of INEC regarding the issue of the party candidate.
    But the governor failed to tell Nigerians whether INEC was responsible for the emergence of two factions in PDP or the conflicting judgements that threw up two candidates for the  same election before the intervention of the Supreme Court. It is high time politicians purge themselves of the penchant for casting aspersion on the electoral umpire to score cheap political points. There is no need to shout wolf where there is none in the conduct of INEC in the election, as doing that will not only endanger democracy in the country but also tarnish the image of highly-respected individuals who work day and night to ensure that election in the country are not only free and fair but also credible.
    The November 26, Ondo  State guber poll, which many political commentators have already dubbed “a textbook approach of free and fair election,”  is worthy of commendations. INEC deserves a pat on the back for improving on its performance in the also well-adjudged Edo State gubernatorial election.
    As testified by election observers who monitored the Ondo State poll, materials and men for the election were deployed as early  as 7:30 am while accreditation and voting started as early as 8: 30 am in almost all the polling units across the state. Card readers were fully used in the election to avoid issue of rigging and over-voting. Faulty card readers were replaced with immediate alacrity and in some few cases incidence forms were used to ensure no eligible voter was disenfranchised.   The swiftness in which the electoral umpire announced the result further endeared INEC to Nigerians and put paid to  any perceived conspiratorial theory.
    The nation’s security agencies that participated in the election  also  lived up to expectation as there was no incident of violence or loss of life during  the election, apart from the skirmishes that occurred in Owo a day before the poll.
    All the political parties, apart from the PDP, totally accepted the outcome of the election as a reflection of what transpired in all the polling booths in the state. The three candidates that garnered the highest votes in the election all exhibited their strengths in their various strongholds. While the eventual winner, Akeredolu garnered large chunk of votes from his Ondo North Senatorial zone and other areas, the PDP candidate, Jegede, showed that he was a major force to reckon with in Ondo Central even as AD’s Oke gave a good account of his political prowess   in the southern part of the state where he hails from.
    As torrent of commendations continues to pour in over the peaceful conduct of politicians and INEC performance in Ondo State, it is the expectation of many Nigerians that the same feat will be replicated, if not surpassed, in the forthcoming Rivers State rerun election. INEC will have to remain resolute as ever, because politicians will always be politicians.
    While I commend the security agencies for protecting human lives and ensuring electorate did not cast their vote in a tense environment, their chiefs will have to look into the allegation of vote-buying. The allegation that security agents watch each political party openly inducing voters with money to vote for their candidates must be probed and, if found to be true, culprits must be punished. But to be just, security agents assigned to work with INEC during election must be well taken care of, both by the authorities and INEC. Only then can we achieve a near perfect election.

    •Amadi, a public affairs commentator, writes in from Abuja.

  • Akeredolu: change is here

    Akeredolu: change is here

    Change is here, says Akeredolu as INEC declares him winner

    Ondo State Governor-elect Oluwarotimi Akeredolu yesterday promised not to fail the people when he assumes office on February 24.

    Akeredolu, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), made the pledge in his acceptance speech read at his home in Owo amid jubilation after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared him winner of Saturday’s election.

    Returning Officer and University of Ilorin Vice Chancellor Prof. Abdul-Ganiyu Ambali, who announced the result around 1.20pm, said Akeredolu polled 244, 842 votes to beat Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Eyitayo Jegede with 150, 380 votes and Alliance for Democracy (AD) candidate Olusola Oke, who scored 126, 889.

    APC won in 14 Local Government Areas. AD won in two (Ilaje and Okitipupa) and PDP in Ondo East and Ondo West councils.

    The APC won in Akure North, Akure South, Ile Oluji/Oke-Igbo,

    Ifedore, Ose, Akoko South West, Akoko South East, Akoko North East,

    Akoko North West, Owo, Idanre, Irele, Ese-Odo and Odigbo Local Government Areas.

    The Returning Officer said of the 1, 647, 973 total registered voters, only 584, 997 were accredited. There were 551,272 valid votes and 29, 615 votes were rejected.

    “Having polled the highest number of votes and having satisfied all requirements, I hereby declare Oluwarotmi Akeredolu the governor-elect of Ondo State,” Ambali said.

    Akeredolu praised President Muhammadu Buhari “our national leader” and the “principled” National Chairman of APC, Chief John Odigie- Oyegun and members of the National Working Committee (NWC).of the party.

    He said: “I wish to express my profound gratitude, first, to the Almighty God whose infinite grace has allowed us to see this day.

    ”This victory is of God through the people. It is not for me or the APC alone; it is a victory for the people of Ondo State, irrespective of which side of the divide you stood during the election. For me, it is a challenge to perform. It is a call to rescue our state and reverse it fortunes.

    ”I thank the people of my dear state for their steadfastness. I have heard their messages throughout the campaign to all the nooks and crannies of the state. Today, you have spoken with one voice. You have walked your talk. You have voted for me as your governor for the next four years.

    ”Today, change has come. I hereby make a solemn pledge that this collective mandate shall address all issues with keen determination. The welfare of our people alone shall be the directive policy of the government.

    Today’s victory is a confirmation of the willingness and readiness of the people of Ondo State to change and seek a better life. I thank you for your faith and confidence in me. I thank all those whose uncommon sacrifice, contributed in no small measure to the success of the exercise. A special show of gratitude must be extended to our security agents for their patriotic duty.

    ”I shall in few months be saddled with the task of providing responsible leadership, a leadership that would take our people from poverty and stagnation to productivity and prosperity, from pains and lamentation to joy and laughter.

    ”It is the sole reason you have voted for me and by the grace of God I will not fail you.

    ”There was jubilation in many parts of the state, especially in Akure and Owo. Members of the APC trooped out to celebrate Akeredolu’s victory. Most of them held brooms and danced round major streets, singing.

    Many also converged on the party’s secretariat on Oba Adesida Road and at the Akeredolu campaign office at Oyemekun Road, where they sang and danced.

    Residents of Owo took to the streets to celebrate the coming of another indigene as governor.Second Republic Governor of the old Ondo State, the late Chief Adekunle Adekunle Ajasin,  hailed from the ancient town. Many APC chiefs besieged Akeredolu’s residence to celebrate with him, among them Senator Tayo Alasoadura, Victor Olambitan, Tola Oworh, Gbenga Adefarati, Olalekan Odere, Wale Akinterinwa, Femi Agagu, Olayemi Omosuyi, Timileyin Adelegbe, Ifedayo Abegunde, Yemi Olowolabi, Saka Yusuf, among others.

    Also in Owo yesterday was Minister of Mines and Steel Dr. Kayoode FayemiImmediately, the result was announced, Akeredolu in a convoy joined his kinsmen, who were already jubilating.They moved from Akeredolu’s residence at the Government Reserved Area (GRA), through Fajuyi Road to Ehinogbe, Iloro and ended it at the Palace of Olowo of Owo, Oba Folagbade Olateru-Olagbegi III.

    Members of the Boys Brigade were also in the party.

    Akededolu’s agent Dr Benson Enikuomehin,  said the election was free and fair.

    ”The result of the election showed that people are against Mimiko and his government. From the result, we could see that in Akure where the PDP candidate comes from, the party lost. Even in Mimiko’s hometown, the PDP won with a slight margin. This is to tell you that the people of Ondo State are tired of Mimiko and his hegemony,” he said.

    But Jegede’s agent,  Mr. Ayo Fadaka, said INEC was too hasty in conducting the election. According to him, the election was conducted less than 48 hours after Jegede was declared the PDP candidate.

    Fadaka alleged that “some individuals were used to truncate the future of the people of Ondo State by teaming up to work against the common interest of the people.”

    “They came to Ondo to work against us and eventually gave our government to the APC.”

    He said Jegede and the party would consult widely and decide on the next step to take, adding that “for now, we have not decided on what to do as a political party, but as time goes on, we shall take appropriate action.”

    ”INEC collaborated with the judiciary to deprive the good people of Ondo State good government, which the Olusegun Mimiko administration has ensured in the last eight years. Knowing full well that the electoral body has up to January, next year to organise the election, INEC still went ahead to conduct the election despiteunfavourable conditions,” Fadaka said.