In Acceptance Speech, Akeredolu Says All Aspirants Are Winners In Ondo 2020 APC Primary

The Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) has said that though he was the eventual winner of the just concluded governorship primary of All Progressive Congress (APC) in the state, he saw every contestant in the race as a winner.

The primary, which was held at the International Cultural Centre (The Dome) Alagbaka, Akure on Monday saw the incumbent governor polling 2458 votes in the indirect primary, while Olusola Oke came second with 262 votes Isaac Kekemeke coming a distance third with 19 votes.

P.M. EXPRESS reports that a total of 3016 delegates were accredited for the primary, 2798 votes were cast out which 2760 were valid with 30 invalid. 12 aspirants participated in the exercise

Speaking after he was declared winner as the APC flag bearer in the forthcoming governorship poll holding in October this year, Akeredolu, who is fondly called ‘Aketi’ by his teeming admirer, said that “Today, history is made. History is made not because of my victory at the just concluded primary of our great party. In unpretentious terms, the strong will, dedication, perseverance as well as the palpable resolve of all-party men and women at this very event present a historic moment to behold.

“While I consider this evening reflective of our collective desire to sustain our party in Government, our expressed direction, the exceptional comportment on the part of our delegates and the seeming show of love for one another has thrown further challenges upon me as your leader and Governor.

“Most profoundly, I salute the courage of my brother aspirants. They have enriched the contest, no doubt. I must say that I am particularly enamoured by the determination and the industry we all put into this endeavour.

“All the same, the campaigns preceding this day have been noticeably fraught with mixed feelings. Relationships in some cases may have been bruised and interests hurt. In other cases, methods deployed to run these campaigns may not have been pleasant. I plead with all us to leave these in the past and move on. This is more so that, all aspirants, including myself were either victims or indirectly responsible for such unpleasant circumstances. We must find spaces in our hearts to forgive one another.

“I am convinced that our individual pursuits were driven by the altruistic motivation to strengthen our great party and more importantly, take our dear State to loftier heights.

“Therefore, I find it delightful to say here and now, that we have all won together. Consider me as the custodian of your vision for the Sunshine State. Together, we shall move the State forward. Under my watch, we shall witness a more robust, reassuring and rewarding relationship.

“As a way of engendering unity of purpose and cohesion amongst all party men and women, in a matter of hours, I shall commence, in an inexorable manner, a process of reconciliation to heal all perceived wounds. We need one another more in the future than now.”

He, however, paying glowing tributes to President Muhammadu Buhari and other leaders of the APC including the Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Beloo, who headed the committee that conducted the primary, saying “May I use this opportunity to express sincere appreciation to my brother Governor, Yahaya Bello of Kogi State and his team for this wonderful outing. You have displayed a high sense of professionalism and an immeasurable degree of competence.

“You have demonstrated that a credible electoral system is possible and achievable. The transparency you have exerted today is the platform I intend to leverage upon for reconciliation.

“Please permit me, my brother Governor, to use you as a point of contact to express my profound appreciation to the national leadership of our great Party, especially Mr. President, President Muhammadu Buhari, our National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as well as the National Caretaker Committee led by Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State. I would also like to appreciate all Party delegates, starting from the State Party Executives, who came from all the Local Government Areas in the State for their unalloyed support and dedication to this party. I can assure you all, Ondo State is an APC State, together, we shall deliver come October 10.”