President Muhammadu Buhari, Senate President Bukola Saraki and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have congratulated Chief Rotimi Akeredolu over his election as Ondo state governor.

Akeredolu was announced on Sunday as the winner of the November 26, election by after polling more than 244,800 votes to best his rival, Chief Eyitayo Jegede of People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

President Buhari also congratulates the Chairman of the APC, Chief John Oyegun, the Chairman of the Campaign Committee, Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State, and all party members who put in their best and braved the odds to ensure a successful outing.

A statement by Mr. Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser to the President (Media and Publicity) to the President, said Buhari rejoices with the good people of Ondo State, who aligned with Akeredolu.

“From the beginning, this election set out to be a different kind of election. The unity and resilience of the party was tested. I am happy we came out of this victorious.

“This is a huge win. The mood today is against corruption, insecurity and for the restoration of the economy and the creation of jobs.

“This is where the party stands and I am happy that the electorate has read the situation correctly,” said the President.

He called on other contestants to see the triumph of Akeredolu as the wish of God and enjoined them to work together with him to make the state a truly progressive and economically prosperous one for all.

The President commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Security Agencies and the voters for the peaceful and successful conduct of the elections.

As the Governor-elect prepares to assemble his team, and bring the much desired CHANGE to the people, President Buhari urges him to put behind whatever acrimonies may have arisen from the electioneering process.

He urged him to reach out to all well-meaning people in the state and beyond, to implement his vision.

President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki also congratulated the Governor-elect of Ondo State, Chief Rotimi Akerodolu over his victory at the poll.

Saraki in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity Mr Yusuph Olaniyonu, in Abuja on Sunday, said the people of Ondo state “could not have had a better choice.’’

Saraki said Akeredolu’s victory did not come to him as a surprise, going by his excellent credentials and years of preparedness for the business of governance.

He, however, urged the governor-elect to be magnanimous in victory by working with all relevant stakeholders in the arduous task of moving the Sunshine State to the next level.

He urged Akeredolu to fully deploy his wealth of experience garnered over many years in private legal practice in running the affairs of the state.

Saraki lauded the security agencies and INEC for the peaceful conduct of the election and thanked the people of the state for voting for APC during the election.

Saraki said: “The people of Ondo have made a clear choice by voting for the APC. I can only assure the good people of Ondo state that APC and its flag bearer have all it takes to wipe away your tears.

‘’Akeredolu will provide you the dividends of democracy that have hitherto eluded you.

“With Akeredolu on the saddle of governance, I have no doubt that the state will soon witness unparalleled development socially, economically and politically.’’

The National Chairman of APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, also congratulated Akeredolu for the landslide election victory.

In a message issued on Sunday on behalf of the APC National Working Committee (NWC), Odigie-Oyegun while thanking the Ondo electorate for voting for the Party also expressed gratitude to the good people of Ondo State for their impressive turnout and peaceful conduct during the election exercise.

He thanked President Buhari and other party leaders for their invaluable support towards winning the Ondo state governorship election.

He called for calm and appealed to the opposition parties and their candidates to accept defeat in good faith.

The outcome of the Ondo state governorship election, he said, powerfully demonstrated the confidence and trust people have in the leadership of President Buhari.

“With the 2016 Ondo State governorship gone, the task before the Party leadership is uniting the Party and healing wounds.”

NAN