President Muhammadu Buhari has charged Governor Rotimi Akeredolu to perform better than he did during his first term as governor of Ondo State.
Buhari was reacting to the re-election of Akeredolu for a second term in office.
According to the results of all the 18 LGAs announced by INEC, the incumbent Governor Akeredolu won 15 of the 18 Local Government Areas where the election took place.
Prof Idowu Olayinka, the INEC Returning Officer, declared Governor Akeredolu the winner Ondo 2020 governorship election with 292,830.
On the other hand, Eyitayo Jegede, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Nigeria’s main opposition party, polled 195,791 while Ondo Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) scored 69,127 votes.
Buhari’s congratulatory message was contained in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, titled “President Buhari congratulates Rotimi Akeredolu on re-election as Ondo governor.”
The President commended INEC for organizing a credible election.
The statement read, “President Muhammadu Buhari rejoices with Rotimi Akeredolu SAN, on his re-election as Governor of Ondo State for another four-year term.
“The President lauds the resounding victory of the Governor at the election held on Saturday, October 10, 2020, noting that the votes garnered ‘show that one good turn surely deserves another.’
“He thanks the people of Ondo State for keeping faith with their Governor, and the All Progressives Congress, noting that ‘the people know the person and party that truly serves them, and have spoken in clear voice and unmistakable terms.’
“President Buhari appreciates the electorate in Ondo State for comporting themselves decently and in order, and for exhibiting conduct that indicates that the country is making progress in its electoral behaviour.
“He also gives kudos to the Independent National Electoral Commission for organising credible, free and fair election, and to security agencies which ensured that orderliness was enthroned and maintained.
“The President urges Gov Akeredolu to be humble and magnanimous in victory, and serve the people of Ondo State even better than how he did in the first term, noting: ‘when you serve with heart and might, the people respond in like manner, and we can easily get to where we are headed as a country.’”