By Harry Awurumibe, Editor, Abuja Bureau
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has presented Certificates of Return to the winner of the just concluded Ondo State Governorship Election, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa and his Deputy, Adelami Olayide at the Conference Hall, INEC Headquarters, Abuja.
The presentation rituals which was conducted on behalf of the Chairman of INEC, Professor Mahmood Yakubu on Wednesday by the Supervisory National Commissioner of Ondo State, Professor Kunle Ajayi witnessed a large number of the supporters of the governor who came to show solidarity to the Governor-elect.
In his short remarks, Professor Ajayi said the Ondo election was very peaceful as the there was no single ugly incident recorded by INEC hence the outcome is credible.
He said the issuance of Certificate of Return is a constitutional requirement in Nigeria which he insists the Commission must fulfill as required by law guiding INEC, adding that the presentation is to remind the Governor-elect of the task ahead too.
The INEC National Commissioner however thanked all the stakeholders for playing their roles to deliver Ondo governorship election, saying that without their contributions the election could not have gone smoothly.
Specifically, Professor Ajayi thanked the security agencies, election observers and the Nigerian media for supportive INEC to organize a hitch-free election in Ondo state.
Also speaking at the event, Governor Aiyedatiwa thanked the people of Ondo State for exercising their franchise and renewing his mandate.
Said he: “The mandate you have just renewed via your huge votes across the 18 LGAs where we won convincingly has placed a burden on me to serve you better than I did before now.”
He also thanked President Bola Tinubu, whom he said provided a level playing field for all parties in the race to try their luck.
Aiyedatiwa also commended INEC for conducting a free, fair, transparent, credible, and inclusive election.
The electoral body had on Sunday declared Aiyedatiwa, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the election held in Ondo state on Saturday.
Aiyedatiwa defeated the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), Agboola Ajayi and 15 other candidates to emerge the winner of the electoral contest.
In an unprecedented win, Aiyedatiwa won in all the 18 local government areas of the state.
The state Returning Officer, Olayemi Akinwumi, said Aiyedatiwa polled a total of 366,781 votes to defeat Ajayi of PDP, who got 117,845 votes.
Despite the landslide victory, Agboola has decided to head for the election petition tribunal to challenge the victory.
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