A group under the umbrella of the Ondo State Conscience Movement (OCM) has urged Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to be magnanimous in victory following his victory at the governorship primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the state governorship election slated for Saturday, November 16, 2024.
The incumbent Ondo governor had polled 48,569 votes to defeat his closest rival, Mayowa Akinfolarin, who garnered 15,343 out of 95,178 valid votes.
The party ticket was contested by about 16 members of the party in the Saturday primary, which was held across the 203 wards and 18 local government areas of the state amid protests by some of the governorship aspirants.
The Chairman of OCM, Shalom Olaseni, in a statement on Monday, urged the governor to extend a hand of fellowship to his fellow contestants and stakeholders.
He also appealed to other aspirants and political actors to demonstrate statesmanship in the aftermath of the primaries, while stressing the need to set aside personal ambitions and rivalries for the greater good of the state.
He said, “We commend the governor for his dedication to service and his unwavering commitment to the progress and prosperity of our beloved state.
“At this pivotal moment in our political journey, it is imperative that we reflect on the values of unity, peace, and progress. Ondo State has endured its fair share of challenges in recent times, and our people have demonstrated remarkable resilience in the face of adversity. Now, more than ever, we must prioritise the collective well-being of our state and its citizens.
“The journey towards achieving a peaceful and prosperous Ondo State requires the cooperation and collaboration of all stakeholders. Therefore, we call upon all other aspirants and political actors to demonstrate statesmanship and camaraderie in the aftermath of the primaries. Let us set aside personal ambitions and rivalries for the greater good of our state.
“In the spirit of inclusivity and reconciliation, we urge Governor Aiyedatiwa to be magnanimous in victory and extend a hand of fellowship to his fellow contestants and stakeholders. By fostering a climate of unity and cooperation, we can harness the collective wisdom and talents of all citizens towards building a brighter future for Ondo State.
“Furthermore, we must recognise that excessive tumult and political instability would be detrimental to the progress and development of our state.
“As we navigate through these critical times, let us exercise caution and restraint in our actions and words. Our collective responsibility is to ensure that Ondo State remains a beacon of hope and opportunity for generations to come.”
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