The governorship candidate of the Accord Party in the 2020 Ondo State governorship election, Rotimi Akindejoye, has urged opposition parties to discontinue further litigation over the outcome of the 2024 governorship poll, which produced Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Akindejoye, who gave the admonition in Akure on Tuesday, described the protracted legal tussle as unnecessary and detrimental to the peace and development of the state.

He called on aggrieved politicians to accept the verdict of the people and throw their weight behind Governor Aiyedatiwa in the interest of good governance and accelerated development across the state.

The former governorship candidate said, “Now that the people have spoken and the election tribunal has reaffirmed the choice of the electorate, it is only honourable for all parties to move on and support the current administration. The time for politics is over; governance should take precedence.”

Akindejoye maintained that endless post-election wrangling and litigation would serve only to distract the government and delay the delivery of democratic dividends to the people.

He added, “Litigations won’t change the will of the people. We must learn to be statesmen by respecting democratic outcomes. If we keep dragging the process in court, who suffers? The masses.”

While acknowledging the right of any political actor to seek redress through legal means, Akindejoye stressed the need for maturity and patriotic sacrifice, noting that the collective good of the people should take precedence over partisan interests.

He described Governor Aiyedatiwa as a visionary and development-driven leader and called on all stakeholders, regardless of party affiliation, to rally round the administration to fast-track development in the state.

“It is time we buried the hatchet and worked together as one,” he said. “Governor Aiyedatiwa needs the support of all to succeed. Let us not allow politics to hold back Ondo State.”

Akindejoye also urged the governor to remain magnanimous in victory and extend a hand of fellowship to his former opponents, saying inclusive governance and open dialogue would help heal post-election wounds and unite the state for sustainable progress.