The All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday presented the certificate of return for the November 16, 2024 Ondo State gubernatorial poll to the governor, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who emerged as the winner of the April 20 primaries.
Recall that Aiyedatiwa scored 48,569 votes to beat his closest rival Mr Mayowa Akinfolarin, who polled 15,343 votes at the primaries, while Mr Olusola Oke got 14,865 votes.
Presenting the certificate of return to Aiyedatiwa at the national secretariat of the party in Abuja, the APC national chairman, Mr Abdullahi Ganduje, expressed optimism that the APC would record a landslide in the election.
In his remarks, Aiyedatiwa appreciated the aspirants who contested the April 20, primaries for being good sportsmen and women.
He thanked President Bola Tinubu, the vice president, Mr Kashim Shettima, the party’s leadership, members of its national working committee and the state’s stakeholders for their commitment to keep the party united.
He said though there were complaints and petitions after the primary from some aspirants who contested the party’s ticket with him, they were all currently on the same page.
“We all looked at the issues and are today on the same page, we are all winners but one flag bearer.
“And I hereby accept the party’s flag as its flag bearer in the forthcoming Ondo State November 16 governorship election,” he said.
Aiyedatiwa pledged to run an inclusive government if returned as the governor.
He added that he would not forget the level of support he got from the party’s members and the state’s entire community during his tour ahead of the primary.
Speaking on opposition parties in the state, the governor said the APC remained the party to beat in Ondo State.
“The APC is the preferred party in Ondo State and we have the support of not just our members, but members of the entire Ondo State community,” he said.
With NAN report
