Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, has congratulated his Ondo State counterpart, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, on his victory during Saturday’s governorship election.

 Aiyedatiwa, who was the flag bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the November 16, 2024 election, was declared the winner by the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) shortly after the conclusion of the collation of results on Sunday. 

Oyebanji in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Yinka Oyebode, described the electoral victory as an endorsement of good governance under the APC administration in Ondo State as well as a vote of confidence in the leadership of the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. 

The Ekiti Governor expressed gratitude to the electorate in Ondo State for keeping their trust in the ruling party, the APC, based on verifiable indices of good governance since the party came to power in the neighbouring state in 2016.

Oyebanji pointed out that the victory recorded by Aiyedatiwa and the APC has put a fresh challenge on the Ondo Governor to do more for the people of the state who defied the odds to give him a fresh mandate. 

Similarly, he said the electoral victory shows that Nigerians appreciate the leadership of President Tinubu and have unwavering confidence that the current socioeconomic policies and programs of the government would yield the desired results, leading to irreversible progress, development, and economic prosperity for all. 

He commended the National Chairman of the APC, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje; the Progressive Governors’ Forum, the party’s National Campaign Council, National Assembly members, elected and appointed political office holders, and the entire party faithful for their hard work that contributed to the electoral success.

Oyebanji hailed the people of Ondo State for conducting themselves in a peaceful and orderly manner which resulted in the overall success of the governorship poll across the length and breadth of the state.

The governor specifically commended the people of Ekiti State resident in Ondo State for heeding his clarion to use their votes to retain Aiyedatiwa in office, expressing optimism that they would reap the bountiful harvest of good governance from the new administration. 

The Governor also praised the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the improvements recorded in the Ondo poll, especially in the prompt release of results from the polling units and the collation exercise.

Oyebanji commended the security agencies for their professionalism which contributed largely to the peaceful conduct of the election from the commencement of voting exercise till the official declaration of results.

He urged the newly elected governor to remain magnanimous in victory and reach out to his opponents in the election with a view to working with them to deliver dividends of democracy to the people.