By Akpevwe Okuse
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo state has demonstrated sportsmanship by extending an olive branch to his 15 co-contestants following his victory in last Saturday’s governorship primary election.
After being declared the winner of the primary election by the chairman of the election committee, Kogi state governor Ahmed Ododo, Aiyedatiwa called on his fellow contestants to unite and support him in the task of building the state. He secured victory in 16 out of the 18 council areas, garnering a total of 48,569 votes.
In his acceptance speech, Aiyedatiwa acknowledged that democracy often brings about differences of opinion after such contests. However, he emphasized that now is not the time for grievances, but rather a time for unity to work towards the success of the party and the achievement of their collective goals.
The speech titled” A time to win together” reads “The internally orchestrated heavy politics within our party, APC, in search of our flag-bearer in the forthcoming gubernatorial election has come to a conclusion today with the emergence of a candidate as declared by the Governorship Primary Election Committee under the chairmanship of His Excellency, Governor Usman Ododo, the Governor of Kogi State.
“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.
“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 especially thank the President and Leader of our party, His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his leadership.
He, also, thanked” the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, GCON, the National Chairman of our party, Alhaji Umar Abdullahi Ganduje, the Progressive Governors, National and State Working Committees of our party and all stakeholders in the state for their forthrightness in the processes leading to my emergence as the flag-bearer for our party in the Ondo 2024 governorship election.
“I thank all our traditional rulers, institutional heads, civil servants and all the stakeholders who have chosen me as their preferred candidate.
Aiyedatiwa, also thanked “all the party leaders, including the APC Aborigines, members of the campaign team and all others who toured the entire 18 local government areas together with me to engage with our party members. I do not take for granted the love shown to me by our members across the State.
“To all our party members, I hereby accept, wholeheartedly, the responsibility conferred on me as the candidate of our party by the votes of our members who turned out in their large numbers on the 20th of April 2024.
“Now, more than ever before, the greatness of Ondo State is what matters the most. I therefore request that we all join hands together in building the future that we all yearn for in Ondo state.
“There is infrastructure to be built; better healthcare services to be delivered; fair justice to be served; qualitative education to be ensured; civil servants to be trained and motivated; security of lives and properties to be strengthened; enabling environment to be created for businesses to thrive and attract investors.