The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Wednesday, presented Certificates of Return to Ondo State Governor-elect, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and his Deputy, Adelami Olayide, following their victory in last Saturday’s concluded governorship election in Ondo.
The certificates were handed over in Abuja by the Supervisory National Commissioner for Ondo State, Prof. Kunle Ajayi.
The event came four days after INEC declared Aiyedatiwa, the flagbearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC), winner of the November 16 governorship election.
Aiyedatiwa triumphed decisively, securing 366,781 votes to defeat his closest rival, Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who garnered 117,845 votes.
The APC candidate dominated across all 18 Local Government areas of the state, ensuring his re-election as the governor of the Sunshine State.
In his remarks, governor-elect Aiyedatiwa, expressed his gratitude to the people of Ondo State for their overwhelming support in renewing his mandate.
“With your overwhelming votes across the 18 LGAs, you have renewed my mandate and placed on me the responsibility to serve you even better than before,” Aiyedatiwa stated.
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for providing a level playing field for all political parties and acknowledged the efforts of stakeholders who contributed to the success of the election.
Aiyedatiwa also commended the INEC for conducting a “free, fair, transparent, credible, and inclusive election.”
In his address, Prof. Ajayi commended the people of Ondo State for their peaceful conduct during the election, noting the absence of significant violence.
He lauded the voters’ commitment to democracy, stating, “INEC remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring free, fair, credible, inclusive and conclusive elections. The recently concluded Ondo State governorship election represents a testament to our dedication to upholding this path.”
Ajayi reminded the governor-elect and his deputy of the trust placed in them by the people of Ondo State to uphold democratic ideals and deliver good governance.
The ceremony was attended by various dignitaries, including APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, and several other notable figures from the state.
Meanwhile, the Federal High Court in Akure, Ondo State capital, on Wednesday, reserved judgment on the case filed by the PDP and its candidate, Agboola Ajayi, questioning the academic certificate of Aiyedatiwa’s deputy, Dr. Olayide Adelami.
The opposition party, through their lawyer, Mr. M. Ndoka (SAN), challenged the eligibility of Adelami to contest as the deputy governorship candidate on the platform of APC.
They asked the court to disqualify the APC from the ballot.
The case was initially filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja but later transferred to Akure division of the court for continuation.
The opposition is challenging Adelami’s alleged “multiple conflicting and irreconcilable names,” such as: Adelami Owolabi Jackson and Olaide Owolabi Adelami.
For this reason, the plaintiff asked the court to disqualify him and the governorship candidate.
Justice Toyin Adegoke fixed the judgment to a date that would be communicated to the parties.
PUNCH
