Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, at the weekend disclosed that the victory recorded at the Supreme Court over his emergence in the November 16, 2024, governorship election does not belong to him but to the people of the state.
While expressing gratitude to all those who stood by him during the legal process, Aiyedatiwa commended the legal team for their professionalism as well as the judiciary for delivering justice without fear or favour.
Before the verdict of the Supreme Court on Wednesday, the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2024 gubernatorial polls, Agboola Ajayi, had withdrawn his appeal at the apex court.
According to the governor, who spoke at the democracy park in Akure, the state capital, where a crowd of supporters gave him a rousing welcome from Abuja following his victory at the Supreme Court, the judiciary remains the bedrock of society, noting that fairness, equity, and justice remain vital for sustaining democracy.
Aiyedatiwa also appreciated President Bola Tinubu for his leadership, stating that when a good leader steers the affairs of a nation, fairness and equity prevail.
He said, “I thank the people of Ondo State for entrusting us with their mandate and for standing by us during the election and the court process. This victory is not mine alone; it belongs to every citizen of this state.”
Earlier, the Director of Corporate Affairs of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Ifedayo Abegunde, described Aiyedatiwa’s triumph as a victory for the people, affirming that their votes were not wasted.
Also, former Deputy Governor Abdulazeez Oluboyo lauded the governor for making history by winning across all local government areas of the state, assuring the people of quality leadership and delivery of dividends of democracy under the Aiyedatiwa administration.
On her part, former Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Omowumi Ohwovoriole, described the Supreme Court judgement as “the end of discussion” over the last election, expressing confidence that the Governor would usher in development, peace, and tranquillity in the state.
