President Muhammadu Buhari, the ruling APC, governors, Ondo State APC, and Jegede have congratulated Akeredolu over his victory at the court.
President Muhammadu Buhari, who congratulated Akeredolu, over his victory, charged the opposition in Ondo State to work with the governor in the interest of the state.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, President Buhari charged Akeredolu and other elected officers on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to always design their development programme, and projects in accordance with the demand of the people.
He affirmed that the popularity of the APC would always depend on the performance and acceptance of its elected officers.
He said: “President Buhari extols the Ondo State governor for assiduously working for the development of the state, with reforms that continue to attract the goodwill of investors, and insistence that education, health and security take priority.
“President Buhari calls on the opposition to sheathe the sword, work for the development of Ondo State, and wishes the government and people a prosperous future”, the statement said.
The APC, in a statement by the Caretaker Committee Secretary Senator John James Akpanudoedehe, said the governor should now focus on the task of development.
He said: “The Governor Akeredolu administration is now poised to redouble the tempo of quality service delivery and consolidate its giant strides in the critical areas of education, healthcare delivery, infrastructure development, security, youth empowerment, and industrialization.
The APC said the final judgment has laid to rest the protracted litigation.
Its spokesman Alex Kalejaiye, rejoiced with Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, his deputy, Lucky Ayedatiwa, and all the residents of the State for the affirmation of the people’s mandate.
He said: “The APC family expresses profound appreciation to all the parties and stakeholders, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the legal teams, chieftains of the ruling party, and the electorate, for their contributions and support while the legal battle lasted.
“The party enjoins the governor and his deputy to put the legal gymnastics and distractions behind them, and focus on their selfless approach to governance, in the interest of every resident of the state, irrespective of party affiliations.
“While sympathizing with the PDP over internal crisis rocking the party, the Ondo APC challenges the PDP to reorganize itself so it could present a productive opposition to the performing government
.”Osun State Governor Adegboyega Oyetola also congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari, national leaders, members, and supporters of the party in Ondo on the victory, describing it as a “sound one” and “well deserved”.
“Today’s judgment has put to an end the needless bickering and distractions that greeted the election. I hope that the opposition will team up with my brother Governor to move Ondo forward in the overall interest of the State.”
Oyetola, who was also the Chairman, Contact, and Mobilisation Committee for the Ondo Governorship National Campaign Council, stated these in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ismail Omipidan.
Basking in the euphoria of victory, Akeredolu said the judgment has confirmed that the petition filed by Jegede, was ‘most frivolous.’Akeredolu who spoke in Akure shortly after receiving news of the judgment thanked the judiciary for standing by the truth and for not yielding to any influence.
He said: “The glory of this victory of this election petition success is to God Almighty. And I want to thank the legal team that have represented us. We have so many Senior Advocate of Nigeria.“My advise to Jegede is that, this has ended now. Let him come, let us work together, at least for the upliftment of Ondo State.
I don’t doubt his love for the state. He has served here before as Attorney General for about Seven and half years.“Let him come over, let us work together and work for this state. That is my advise to him. We don’t go any longer to the privy council. It has ended here.”
Jegede congratulated Akeredolu, saying that it was time to give glory to God, having explored the grievance procedure permitted by the constitution and the law.
He said: “With this outcome, our respect and reverence for the judiciary and our justices of the supreme court has not diminished. I congratulate HE Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.
The PDP in Ondo State said it has accepted the verdict of the Supreme Court.It said the implication of the Supreme Court verdict was that, the non-joinder of Buni was more fatal to the petition than the infringement on the constitution.
A statement by spokesman of the party, Kennedy Peretei, urged all party supporters to remain steadfast and be consoled that they fought a good fight, from the beginning to the end.
