Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Monday morning reacted to his emergence as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Nov. 16 Ondo 2024 governorship election
Usman Ododo, the Chairman of the Governorship Primary Election Committee for Ondo State had early Monday morning declared Aiyedatiwa the winner of the primary election for the APC gubernatorial ticket conducted between Saturday and Sunday.
A total of 16 aspirants contested the primary held across the 17 local government areas of the state.
Ododo, who is also the governor of Kogi State said Aiyedatiwa polled 48,569 votes to defeat his closest rival, Mr Mayowa Akinfolarin, who had 15,343 out of 95,178 valid votes out of the 16 aspirants.
While giving his acceptance speech shortly after the announcement, Aiyedatiwa expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for allowing enabling environment for the peaceful conduct of the governorship primary.
He also appreciated the national and state working committee of the party for ensuring that the “best candidate emerged” as the party’s standard bearer.
However, some of the aspirants criticized the conduct of the primary election alleging violence and none arrival of materials and officials in some wards.
There was also a protest on Sunday by supporters of some of the aspirants at the APC secretariat in Akure, who called for the cancellation of the exercise.
In reaction to the protests, Aiyedatiwa commended other contestants for their sportsmanship and urged them to join hands with him to ensure the party’s victory in the November election.
“Democracy sometimes comes with discordant tunes. This is not the time to hold grudge against one another, but for all of us to come together so as to remain in power,” he said.
Other aspirants that participated in the primary are: Mr Isaac Kekemeke, Mr Olusoji Ehinlanwo, Mr Olugbenga Edema , Sen. Jimoh Ibrahim, Mr Diran Iyantan; Prof. Dayo Faduyile, Mr Ifeoluwa Oyedele.
Others are Mrs Funmilayo Waheed-Adekojo, Mr Adewale Akinterinwa; Mr Olusola Oke, Mr Ohunyeye Felix; Mr Morayo Lebi, Mrs Judith Omogoroye and Mr Jimi Odimayo.
(NAN)
