There was wild jubilation on the street of Akure, Ondo State capital on Friday, as residents of the town received the state governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, with pomp and pageantry at the Akure Airport, over the verdict of the Supreme Court which upheld his victor.
Akeredolu who was out of the state for official engagements shortly after the judgement on Wednesday was received at the Airport by party leaders, members, supporters and various groups.
The crowd drove with the Governor round the capital city of Akure, from the airport to Oba-Ile, through Alagbaka to Oyemekun and Arakale road down to the government house.
The Governor was in the company of his deputy, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa; the acting chairman of the APC in the state, Engr. Ade Adetimehin; Members of the National Assembly; members of the state House of Assembly led by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Bamidele Oleyelogun; Chief of Staff, Chief Gbenga Ale; members of the state executive council; Local government chairmen; groups and supporters of the APC.
Akeredolu who expressed appreciation for the show of love said he is committed to serving the people of the state, stressing that delivering dividends of good governance remains his top priority.
While noting that the Apex Court judgement was a call to more service, Akeredolu said it was another opportunity to recalibrate and ensure that the yearnings of the people are given front burner attention.
He explained that the APC did not only defeat the PDP at the poll by winning 15 out of the 18 local government areas in the state, the APC also defeated the PDP in the court with 12 judges ruling in favour of the APC and only three for the PDP.
He said:” At the Tribunal, the three judges ruled in our favour. It was a unanimous judgement. At the court of appeal, all five judges ruled in our favour. At the Supreme Court, four judges ruled in our favour and three in favour of the PDP. We floored the PDP again even in the court.” Governor Akeredolu said.
He called on his major challenger, Eyitayo Jegede, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)to come and join hands with him to work for the development of the state.
He said: “I want to say that, I feel really good myself personally but I think in everything, we just have to give glory and honour to the Almighty. God has made it possible and I know that everybody feels happy, rejoicing in whatever the Lord has done.
“So, We have no other option, all of us are rejoicing in what God has done and I thank the people of Ondo State, those who have shot out.
“This matter as you said, is being put to rest and there’s no other thing to do other than for us to come together and work for this state.
“Well, as I said so before, well, the stage we are now, is for us to recalibrate and at the end of the day, find a way to ensure that the yearnings of our people are satisfied.
“I know that a lot of our people as you said, expect so many things from us. We will try our best, have always said so that we are here to serve the people of Ondo state and no more.
“So, we will give everything it takes but now, but all I know is that for everybody in the state there’s room for many and more. Come on board, let us work for this state together, the ship can take everybody, so come on board, let us work for Ondo state.
“What is important is the good of the people and that is what has always hammered on, for the good of our people, not for personal interest. You see, personal interest when you want to go by the back door to want to upturn the people’s victory, that’s personal interest.
“But the people have voted, so, for their interest, let us come together and work for the people. As I said before, Tayo Jegede is not only a colleague, I see him as a friend, have always said so.
“And my message to him is that look, as I said when he lost at the Tribunal, come, let us work together. When he lost at the Appeal, come, let us work together. He’s lost finally at the Supreme court now, I still also say to him, come, let us work together.”
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