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The victory carnival that welcomed Gov Akeredolu

By Adekola Afolabi

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Akure, the Ondo State capital, was agog on Friday July 30, 2021, as residents took to the streets in wild jubilation to welcome the State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, after the verdict of the Supreme Court which upheld his victory at the October 10, 2020 Governorship Election.
The Governor who was out of the state for official engagements shortly after what many referred to as landmark judgement of the Apex Court last Wednesday was received by spontaneous mammoth crowd with pomp and pageantry starting from the Akure Airport.
The visibly elated mammoth crowd including the APC leaders, members, supporters and various groups who welcomed the Governor with various thanksgiving songs formed a long motorcade and drove with the Governor round Akure, from the airport to Oba-Ile, through Alagbaka to the popular Oba Adesida road before a stop over at the party Secretariat Oyemekun road where the Governor addressed the people in Yoruba language.
The Governor was in the company of his deputy, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa; the acting chairman of the APC, Ade Adetimehin; Members of the National Assembly; members of the State House of Assembly led by the Speaker, Mr. Bamidele Oleyelogun; Chief of Staff, Chief Olugbenga Ale; members of the state executive council; Local government chairmen; groups and supporters of the APC.
For some minutes, the Governor who could not hide his joy sang different victory songs to the Almighty God who had given him victory at the Supreme Court.
“All we have to do is to return back home and give thanks, in our houses, rooms, and with our children, let us continue to give thanks because the plans of the enemies were bad but God gave us victory over and above them. They did not wish us well but God stood solidly by us. God is easy and sweet to serve. Continue to serve God and He will answer all your prayers. God has given us victory, God has given APC victory and God has given the good people of Ondo state victory,” he said.
Thereafter, the victory carnival continued through Arakale to NEPA and terminated at the Alagbaka Government House before moving to Owo, the Governor’s country home.
Speaking at the Government House, Akeredolu who specifically thanked God and the people for the sweet victory reiterated that he is committed to serving the people of the state, saying delivering dividends of good governance remains his top priority.
While stating that the Apex Court judgement was a call to more service, the Governor added it was another opportunity to recalibrate and ensure that the yearnings of the people are given a primary attention.
Akeredolu 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 party also defeated the PDP in the court with 12 judges ruling in favour of the APC and only 3 for the PDP.
” 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”, he emphasised.
Akeredolu again called on his major challenger, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede, SAN, to come and join hands with him to work for the development of the state.
”I want to say that, I feel really good 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 trooped out.
“This matter has been put to rest and there is no other thing to do other than for us to come together and work for this state. As I said before, 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 expect so many things from us. We will try our best, I have always said that we are here to serve the people of Ondo State and no more.
“So, we will give everything it takes but all I know is that for everybody in the state there is 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 I have 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 has lost finally at the Supreme Court now, I still also say to him, come, let us work together”, Akeredolu added.
The victory carnival did not end in Akure as it also took the victorious Governor to his Owo country home where another set of mammoth crowd had gathered to receive the Governor and solidarise with him and his deputy. From Emure-Ile junction to the inner ancient town, Owo sons and daughters trooped out with great excitement to celebrate with their son. They congratulated him and his deputy on their final victory at the Apex Court in the land.
There was no dull moment during the two separate victory carnivals as live bands were on ground to entertain the people, even as the Governor acknowledged cheers from the people.
Before the Apex Court judgement, there was a loud silence within the camp of both the ruling APC and the opposition PDP, just as there was uneasy calm within the entire state as to where the pendulum would swing.

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