By Bukola Olamona & Jimoh Ahmed

Dr Olayide Adelami, Ondo state deputy governor, has expressed gratitude to members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Owo for coming out en masse to vote for his principal, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, in Saturday’s primary election in the state.

The deputy governor spoke with newsmen shortly after being counted in the voting exercise at his Igboroko 2 Ward 3 in Owo.

“When I came here this morning, I did not see anyone behind other aspirants. Although I expected nothing less because our people in Owo have, for a long time, demonstrated their commitments to the Aiyedatiwa project.

“You can see the crowd of people behind Aiyedatiwa’s stand. It shows Owo people are hundred percent behind him and this is the same positive news across the state” the deputy governor remarked.

Adelami commended officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies as well as party faithful for the peaceful conduct of the APC primary election in the wards visited.

At Igboroko 2 Ward 3, the same ward of the deputy governor, there was a large crowd of party faithful both young and old who came to vote for the candidate of their choice.

Some aged people who could not stand on the queue were permitted to sit so as not to be trampled upon which made the election easier to conduct.

At this ward, the party members massively cast their votes for the sitting Governor and leading aspirant, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

At Igboroko Ward 2 collation center, held at Government Primary School, voters came out en masse to exercise their right in a peaceful and free atmosphere.

At this ward Olusola Oke had 9 votes, Wale Akinterinwa polled 21, Jimoh Ibrahim has 40, Olamide Ohunyeye has 12, Lucky Aiyedatiwa polled 428.

At Ijebu 2 ward 5, St Luke’s CAC primary school, Ijebu Owo, Isaipen and Ehinogbe, it was a landslide victory for Aiyedatiwa, as no other contestant’s poster was on display.

Also, an APC stalwart in Owo, Chief Sunday Aladegoroye said he thanked God that the election went smoothly as there are no instances of any kind.

He also posited that Ondo State should be given to a competent hand and that has been indicated by the electorate on ground, adding that the pendulum of success is swinging towards the Aiyedatiwa side.

A former member of the Ondo State House of Assembly and also former Education Secretary, Mr Ajibola Adegoroye enthused that the peaceful atmosphere has made the election easier.

He added,” I told you that we would work for Aiyedatiwa/Adelami, and he has won victoriously here”.

Some notable politicians who came out, are, Mr Femi Idris, Mr Akin Olotu, among others.