'Seun Ibukun-Oni, Abuja
DAILY COURIER - The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has formally presented Certificates of Return to His Excellency Lucky Aiyedatiwa and his deputy governor, affirming their re-election as governor and deputy governor of Ondo State for another four-year term.
The ceremony, held at INEC’s headquarters in Abuja, marks the culmination of a democratic process widely commended for its credibility and transparency.
Speaking after receiving his certificate, Governor Aiyedatiwa expressed profound gratitude to the people of Ondo State, who, on November 16, 2024, came out en masse to reaffirm their confidence in his administration.
"Today marks the conclusion of the electoral process that began months ago. On April 20, 2024, our party conducted primaries observed by INEC, which produced me as the APC candidate. Today, I stand here with my deputy, officially recognized as the elected leaders of Ondo State. This victory belongs to the good people of Ondo who entrusted us with their mandate for another term," Aiyedatiwa said.
The governor extended his appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his impartial leadership and to the APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, for his unwavering support. He also lauded INEC for its meticulous planning and execution of the election, describing it as one of Nigeria's most peaceful electoral exercises. Aiyedatiwa commended security agencies for their professionalism and the electorate for their peaceful conduct, pledging to deliver even greater service to Ondo State.
"You have placed a burden on me to serve you more than I have done in the past ten months. I will not take this renewed mandate for granted," he assured.
A victory for democracy and the APC
APC National Chairman Abdullahi Umar Ganduje hailed the election outcome as a victory for democracy and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
"This is a big victory for Ondo State, Nigeria, and Africa, demonstrating that democracy has come to stay in our country. Since 1999, we have continually fine-tuned our democratic processes to ensure fairness and transparency," Ganduje remarked.
He emphasized the party's commitment to delivering dividends of democracy in APC-led states while expressing optimism about reclaiming opposition-held states in the Southwest through democratic means.
INEC reiterates commitment to credible elections
INEC National Commissioner representing the Southwest, Prof. Kunle Ajayi, who presented the certificates, underscored the commission’s dedication to free and fair elections.
"This ceremony represents the culmination of a democratic process reflecting the will of Ondo State's people. The election was peaceful, transparent, and devoid of major violence, thanks to the commitment of voters, political parties, security agencies, and election observers," Ajayi stated.
He praised the strides made in deploying technology to enhance the electoral process and reaffirmed INEC’s resolve to maintain impartiality, transparency, and credibility.
"The issuance of Certificates of Return symbolizes official acknowledgment of the mandate conferred by the electorate. It is a reminder for the governor and deputy governor-elect to uphold democratic ideals and work tirelessly to deliver good governance," Ajayi added.
The re-election of Lucky Aiyedatiwa and his deputy is seen as a testament to the confidence of Ondo State’s electorate in their leadership, setting the stage for another term of governance aimed at advancing the state’s development agenda.
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