MY AFFIRMATION AS APC GOVERNORSHIP CANDIDATE FOR ONDO POLL, WORK OF GOD – AKEREDOLU

A former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), has described his affirmation as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the November 26 governorship election in Ondo State by the National Working Committee of the party as the work of God.

Akeredolu, whose name was submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission as the party's candidate for the election on Thursday, said this in a statement by the Aketi Media Group.

He said: "What can I say than to thank God who has done it again?
"God does not abandon His projects notwithstanding the challenges that may arise."

Akeredolu won the September 3, governorship primary election that took place in Akure by polling 669 votes.

He defeated Olusegun Abraham, who scored 635 votes, and Olusola Oke with 576 votes.

Senator Robert Ajayi-Boroffice came fourth with 471 votes.
While Abraham, Boroffice and other aspirants accepted the results and congratulated Akeredolu, Oke protested, alleging some discrepancies.

He filed a petition before the Election Appeal Committee.
Barely 24 hours later, both Abraham and Boroffice made a u-turn and submitted petitions to the Appeal Committee, calling for outright cancellation of the election.
In upholding Akeredolu's election, the NWC struck out the report of the Appeal Committee, which had earlier recommended the cancellation of the September 3 election.

The party's apex decision making organ averred that Appeal Committee's report was prejudicial and largely perfunctory as its decision was based on unsubstantiated allegations and spurious claims of electoral manipulations.

The APC governorship candidate thanked members of the National Working Committee, especially National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun; the National Leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; and President Mohammadu Buhari for making sure that justice was done to all parties in the dispute.

The Aketi Media Group quoted Akeredolu as saying: "I make bold to say to my co-aspirants in the APC, that we are all winners. None is vanquished. We are all victors. None is a loser. I hold the ticket of party in trust for all of you. I am not perfect. No one is. But I will make up for my imperfections by drawing from your collective strength. Together we shall work in one accord to achieve success in the November 26 Governorship Election. Now is the time to pool our energy and resources and rescue our state from misery and misrule of the Peoples Democratic Party-led government. United we stand. United we shall be victorious."

The APC flag bearer also thanked the Election Committee led by the Jigawa State Governor, Muhammed Abubakar Badaru, and security agencies for creating an enabling environment for a free and fair contest as attested to by the NWC.