My victory, a challenge to perform – Akeredolu

• Receives Certificate of Return

THE Ondo State governor-elect in the November 26 governorship election in Ondo State, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, has assured the people of the state of his readiness to work towards the development of the state, saying his victory in last Saturday election is a challenge to perform.

Akeredolu who stated this in Akure, Ondo State capital during the presentation of Certificate of Return to him by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said him “Today’s victory is of God through the good people of Ondo State. It is not for me or APC alone.

“It is a victory for the people of Ondo State, irrespective of which side of the divide you stood during the election.

“For me it is a call to service and a challenge to perform. Although, we all had different points of view before the election, but today, we stand as members of one strong, vibrant and indivisible Ondo State family.

“We are all united and resolute with one single objective to save our beloved state. Today, you have all voted for change and your foresight has laid a solid platform for the liberation of our people.

“I accept this honour to serve as governor, this call to duty, this divine responsibility to lead you wonderful people. I accept this victory with every sense of humility and responsibility. I cannot thank enough, my fellow compatriots during this election, who had a separate conviction and voted elsewhere.

“With this new dawn, it is now time to rediscover and reinvent ourselves. It is time to find what we lost, to rescue this land and its people from the myriad of poverty and pains which daily assail their lives.

The new governor elect said further “As patriots, it is now time to unite and revamp our fortunes. As Governor, we will take deliberate and decisive steps to optimally harness our overall potential for greatness, prosperity, peace and stability.

He commended INEC for conducting a free, fair and transparent election, noting that the election was one of the best in the history of the state.

“It is clear that this INEC means business in sanitising our electoral process and strengthening democracy. I like to put it on record that in this election, we witnessed and confirm an INEC that is truly responsible and independent.”

According to him, “Today, you have all voted for change and your foresight has laid a solid platform for the liberation of our people. I accept this honour to serve as governor, this call to duty, this divine responsibility to lead you wonderful people. I accept this victory with every sense of humility and responsibility.

“I cannot thank you enough, my fellow compatriots, during this election, who had a separate conviction and voted elsewhere,” he said.

Also commending security agencies, particularly the Police, DSS, Army and Navy as well as the paramilitary agencies for their service in ensuring the growth of democracy, Akeredolu said that ‎”the conduct of these security agencies, during this election shows me that this country can be greater if we want it to be.”

He however extended the hand of fellowship to the opposition, saying “They took the guts to answer the call of democracy to make a choice. I believe it is these resounding voices that have created this worthy moment, which is making this victory real and refreshing. I thank you.

“Today’s victory is of God through the good people of Ondo State. It is not for me or APC alone. It is a victory for the people of Ondo State, irrespective of which side of the divide you stood during the election.

“For me it is a call to service and a challenge to perform. Although we all had different points of view before the election but today, as members of one strong, vibrant and indivisible Ondo state family, we are all united and resolute with one single objective to save our beloved Ondo state.

“Ondo State people have voted for me as governor for the a tenure of four years starting from February 25, 2017, the ball is now in my court to provide leadership that will take our people from a place of poverty and stagnation unto the path of hope and irreversible progress. This I will do so help me God.”With this new dawn, it is now time to rediscover and reinvent ourselves. It is time to find what we lost, to rescue this land and its people from the myriad of poverty and pains, which daily assail their lives. As patriots, it is now time to unite and revamp our fortunes,” he said.

The Resident Electoral ‎Commissioner (REC) in the state, Olusegun Agbaje, denied that the commission connived with any of the 28 political parties that took part in the poll and said “If at the end of the day it is confirmed that INEC connived to perpetrate illegalities, I offer to be personally held responsible and be dealt with accordingly.

Agbaje said it is the civil right of any aggrieved political party to go to court on the outcome of the election and advised the political class to change their attitude towards good conduct in politics and should not see politics or election as a do or die affair

The REC enjoined the governor elect “to be magnanimous in victory by carrying everybody along in an all inclusive government that will harmonised the development plans of all the other candidates and transmitting it to good governance for the benefit of the people of the state.”