Amid jubilations across Ondo State over the victory of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa in the governorship primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Lucky Aiyedatiwa Campaign Organisation Foot Soldiers Independent Council (LACO-FSIC) has expressed profuse gratitude to the people of the State.
It, however, cautioned opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against playing “the role of a peeper and an interloper in the internal affairs of rival APC, through uninformed condemnation”.
State Director of Information of the LACO-FSIC, Mr. Kayode Fasua, in a statement in Akure on Monday, said the emergence of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa as the winner of the primary poll held between Saturday and Sunday, had lent credence to the general demand for continuity of the Aiyedatiwa-led government.
“While it is true that the peaceful, free and fair primary election held to pick a flagbearer for the APC was the internal affair of the APC, it was also symptomatic of the perception of the general public in Ondo State, as Aiyedatiwa won with wide, irrecoverable margin even before a repeat poll in Okitipupa Local Government on Sunday,” the organisation observed.
It, however, sneered at a comment by the state’s PDP that described the APC primary election as a sham.
The campaign body stated that “the PDP in Ondo State is on a cliffhanger and on the verge of collapse, thus seeking relevance through political jabbers and incoherent criticism”.
“For us in the APC, the primary election held between Saturday and Sunday was a qualified success and it foreshadowed what to expect from the generality of the people of Ondo State come November, this year.
“Party members who trooped out en mass to vote for Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa were motivated by the sterling performance of the governor in terms of infrastructural development, human empowerment, and others, and not by any primordial sentiment,” the LACO-FSIC maintained.
The campaign organisation also thanked the National Working Committee of the APC led by the party’s National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, for raising “a water-tight primary election committee for Ondo State which was headed by His Excellency, Governor Usman Ododo of Kogi State.”
It also thanked the executive and entire members of the APC in Ondo State for displaying party loyalty, decorum, and courage, which calibrated in the successful conduct of the primary poll.
The campaign organisation, however, noted that as characteristic of Governor Aiyedatiwa, an olive branch is now being spread for other governorship contestants who did not win in the primary election, adding, “The poll was only a family affair of the APC and in the true sense of the word, we are all winners with Governor Aiyedatiwa.”
It said consultations were in progress among party stakeholders with regard to addressing grievances, and that the APC is now in full throttle for the November governorship election.
Meanwhile, the Director of Contacts and Engagements of Lucky Aiyedatiwa Campaign Organisation Foot Soldiers Independent Council (LACO-FSIC), Dr. Marindoti Oludare, has urged other contestants to come to the conciliatory table.
Oludare, a United States-based medic with humanitarian body-Social Rehabilitation Gruppe (SRG), said the primary election in the All Progressives Congress (APC) was at best an exercise to show the resilience and dedication of the aspirants.
While congratulating Governor Aiyedatiwa on his victory, he noted, stating, I would like to extend my congratulations to the other aspirants who participated in the primaries.
“Your courage and commitment throughout the process have been remarkable; and as Nelson Mandela once said, “Don’t judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.”
“Each of you has shown incredible resilience and dedication, qualities that are essential for the continued growth and prosperity of Ondo State, and you are all victors in this election; there is definitely no vanquished,” he prodded.
He noted that Aiyedatiwa deserved the victory going by his endearing performance index in less than 100 days in office, following the demise of his boss, former Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, while in office.
“Congratulations on your well-deserved victory in the recent APC primaries, as your triumph is a true testament to the deep affection and respect that the people of Ondo State have for you.
“This victory not only highlights your unwavering dedication to our sunshine state but also showcases to the entire country that the people of Ondo adhere strongly to the principles of fairness and justice.
“Your leadership continues to be a beacon of hope for us all, and you have shown time and again that you are a kind and warm-hearted leader, always ready to embrace everyone, regardless of past disagreements.
“This quality is not just commendable but inspirational, fostering a spirit of unity and cooperation that is much needed in our country’s political landscape, Oludare, best known as Marindoti, stressed
He said as the state moved forward, he would encourage all the aspirants to join hands with Governor Aiyedatiwa, noting that anything to the contrary could be counter-productive for the party.
“Together, united and indivisible under God, we can steer Ondo State into a promised land of prosperity and peace.
“Let us all corral our forces and prepare to be victorious in the upcoming general election in order to build a brighter, more prosperous future for every citizen of our beloved state,” he enjoined.
