The Commissioner for Information in Ondo State, Wale Akinlosotu, says with the victory of Edo State in the bag, Ondo is next.
Akinlosotu stated this in a statement in Akure, the Ondo State capital, on Tuesday while congratulating the Governor-elect, Monday Okpebholo and Deputy Governor-elect, Dennis Idahosa, for their victory in last Saturday’s governorship election in Edo State.
The commissioner equally praised the leadership of the All Progressives Congress for providing the support for the party to win in the election.
“The people of Edo State listened and could see the difference. Hence, they spoke loudly with their votes last Saturday,” he said.
He also thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for enhancing Nigerians’ interest in the APC and repositioning the party for victory in all elections.
He lauded the governor of Ondo State, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, who doubled as the Chairman, Election Planning and Strategy Committee of the APC for the Edo election, and as well other Progressives Governors for their solidarity and support to ensure victory for the party.
Akinlosotu also praised the Independent National Electoral Commission and election stakeholders including the security agencies for conducting and ensuring a peaceful, free, fair and credible governorship election that was attractive to the electorate that they defied the downpour to perform their civil responsibilities.
He said, “The resounding victory of our party (APC) in Edo State is a sign of what to come in the Ondo State governorship election coming up in November. We are committed to reenacting the winning streak. We are rest assured that Ondo State people will, through their votes, once again reject the opposition parties.
“We in Ondo State APC are leaving no stone unturned in the preparations for the election. Already, our party is daily receiving defectors from the opposition parties owing to the performance of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and the aggressive membership drive of the party leadership.
“The people of Ondo State can see, feel, and are satisfied with what the APC-led government of Governor Aiyedatiwa in the state is doing to better their lots and impressed that the state is better for these. These will earn us their votes in the election.
“We are not relenting. The politics and coming election will not stop the Aiyedatiwa administration from continuing to implement programmes and policies that resonate with the people of Ondo State and meet their yearnings and aspirations.
“These include robust education and health programmes, creating employment opportunities and empowering the youths; stepping up efforts in construction of roads and housing units, creating enabling environment to attract investors and buoying up the state’s industrial base, developing the agriculture sector and support to farmers, among others just as smiles are being put on the faces of students, workers and pensioners..
“The people of Ondo State are persuaded that what they have benefitted and enjoyed in the nine months of the Aiyedatiwa administration is just a tip of the iceberg compared to what is to come when reelected, hence their resolve to pitch tent with the APC.
“We are sure of victory in the election as the opposition, particularly the PDP is already in disarray coupled with the defeat it suffered in Edo State where the rank of its governors have once again been depleted by the electoral loss,” the commissioner said.
Akinlosotu, who said APC victory in Edo State has already sent jitters down the spines of the PDP in Ondo State and its governorship candidate, Agboola Ajayi, derided them for raising false alarm to make excuse for their apparent loss in the November governorship election.
The commissioner said, “APC does not need to rig to win any election in Ondo State. APC won the previous governorship elections in the state on clean slates, and this will be repeated in November. Our achievements are reasons Ondo State people will return us to office through the election.
“The PDP lost the Edo election due to the dismal performance of the Obaseki-led PDP government and the overwhelming credentials and promises of the APC candidate and Governor-elect, Okpebholo. Ondo PDP should stop making excuses. Where did they see Sham in the concluded Edo election?”