Ondo Polls: I Congratulate Rotimi Akeredolu -Segun Abraham Concedes

MICHAEL AKINOLA

Dr. Segun Abraham, the leading aspirant in Saturday All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election in Ondo State, has accepted the results of the keenly contested primary.

Abraham, in a congratulatory message issued on Sunday, conceded victory to Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, who emerged as the governorship candidate of APC in the State.

“I congratulate Rotimi Akeredolu, who emerged with 669 votes at the primary election of our great party, the APC, in Ondo State,” Abraham stated.

He continued, “My special regards and admiration for Alhaji Baderu Abubakar, the Governor of Jigawa State, and his team for their sterling quality and integrity in conducting the APC governorship primary in Ondo State.

“I also thank my teeming supporters for showing maximum solidarity throughout the campaign till now. I am not unaware of the pain you feel right now; with so much fervor, you all took our message of industrializing Ondo State to every nook and cranny. Thank you.

“I pray that our God will bring the much-needed prosperity we seek to Ondo State in earnest.

“I will not turn my back to my loving people of Ondo. I will continue to contribute my quota to the development of our State in any way God directs,” the message read.

Abraham was consider the preferred ‘anointed candidate’ of the party’s national leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the race. But in spite of the narrow loss, Abraham promised to remain loyal to the party and its ideals and principles.

Akeredolu, a former President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA),  polled a total votes of 669 to defeat Abraham, his closest rival, who secured 635 votes, placing him second in the contest.

A total of 2774 delegates were accredited to vote during the exercise which was strictly monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Twenty-four aspirants jostled for the APC ticket during the Saturday governorship primary election. Some of the results of the election are: Olusola Oke – 576 votes, Ajayi Borrofice- 471 votes, Tayo Alasoadura- 206 votes, Bode Ayorinde- 67 votes, Jumoke- Ajasin Anifowose- 1 vote, Tunji Ariyomo- 2 votes, Tunji Abayomi- 5 votes, Afemi Mayowa- 13 votes, Adegbomire Adebiyi- 8 votes, Adekunle Adekunle- 8 votes, Ayo Akinyelure- 3 votes and Jamiu Afolabi, 44 votes, Ademola Adegoroye- 0 votes, Bukola Adetula -8 votes, Foluso Adefemi – 13 votes, Victor Olabimtan- 18 votes and Boye Oyewumi –7 votes.

Akeredolu was the 2012 governorship candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Ondo State that contested alongside the incumbent Governor Olusegun Mimiko.