Nigeria, Sept, 23, 2016 – Following the affirmation of the election of Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the party has submitted his name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the APC’s flag bearer in November 26, gubernatorial election in Ondo State.
Former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has described his affirmation as the Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the November 26 governorship election in Ondo State by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party, as the work of God.
“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 said in a statement issued by the Aketi Media Group.
Akeredolu had won the September 3, Governorship Primary Election which took place in Akure by polling 669 votes and 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 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 it’s decision was based on unsubstantiated allegations and spurious claims of electoral manipulations. The APC governorship candidate thanked members of the National Working Committee especially APC national chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, national leader of the party Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and President Mohammadu Buhari for making sure that justice was done to all parties in dispute.
“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” Akeredolu declared.
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 now.
APC National chairman, Oyegun and the secretary, Mai Mala Buni endorsed Akeredolu’s nomination form which was later taken to INEC by the party’s organising secretary, Senator Osita Izunaso at about 5.03pm. This development has finally put an end to lingering controversy, claims and counter claims that have trailed the outcome of the party’s governorship primary in Ondo State.
