The Ondo state governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko on Monday congratulated the Governor-Elect, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN, for his victory at the just concluded governorship election in the state.

Mimiko in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Eni Akinsola, said “it behoves of him as the Governor of Ondo State to congratulate the Governor-elect, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, and wish him success in the challenging task of governing our dear State.”

According to Mimiko “It is incumbent upon me as Governor to facilitate a smooth transition between my government and the incoming one. I will, to this end, provide the ambience for a smooth and seamless transition process.”

The governor who expressed appreciation to the people of the state for supporting his administration , promised to continue to provide leadership to the state till the takeover date.

Mimiko said,  “I use this medium to express my sincere appreciation to all our citizens for the very peaceful manner in which they conducted themselves throughout the election period. I will not waiver in providing needed leadership to our dear State till the last day of my term.”

While enjoined residents of the state to strive to sustain the peace enjoyed in the state for the past seven years, Mimiko promised to speak with them as occasion demands as his “eight year tenure inches to an end.”

Similarly, the caandidate of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) in the Saturday’s election, Chief Olusola Oke, congratulated Rotimi Akeredolu of the APC for his success at the poll.

Addressing journalists in Akure, the state capital on Monday, Oke  commended both the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the security agents deployed to the State for being fair in the handling of their duties.

The AD candidate, however condemned the open and free use of money to purchase votes during the election by the ruling parties, saying the development remains a sad commentary on the nation’s electoral process.

According to him,the development  required the urgent intervention by government if the much publicised anti-corruption agenda of the Federal Government must have meaning to Nigerians.

His words, “in the last seven years, the policy direction of the government of the day (in Ondo State) has resulted in the growth and circulation of poverty to our people.

“The resultant effect is the debilitating poverty that had made the people so vulnerable. Therefore, trading away dignity in the face of excruciating hunger during electioneering process requires little or no considerations for morals and values that defined us as a people.

“The open and free use of money to purchase votes, during the election by the ruling parties remains a sad commentary on our electoral process. This requires urgent intervention by government if the much publicized anti-corruption agenda of the Federal Government must have meaning to Nigerians.

“Offer of money for votes is worse than looting the government treasury. Apart from compromising the dignity of the people, it provides a fertile training ground for future looters of government treasury. The consequence of it is to render the anti-corruption fight a farce.

“There may be no economic matter more urgent, difficult to unravel and more sensitive to the pursuit of the average person in Ondo State than the current indignity foisted on the people by poverty orchestrated by maladministration and priority misplacement by the current administration. We hope the incoming administration will address the problem of poverty so that the integrity of our electoral process will be restored.”

“They appear wondering whether the votes they delivered on Saturday would restore light, revive dead industries, complete the uncompleted ones, give hundreds of thousands of unemployed graduates employment, pay arrears of salary to workers and guarantee regular payment of salary; whether their votes will make water to flow again in their unused and rusted water pipes, reduce dust on our roads, revive our education and health sectors  and so on,” he stated.

Also, the state chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Isaac Kekemeke, described Akeredolu’s victory in the Saturday’s poll as “an unequivocal expression of confidence by the people of Ondo state in your personal ability to lead”.

Kekemeke through a statement he personally signed on Monday, urged him to take the requisite steps to obfuscate whatever  Pre-primary and Post-primary divisions that exist in party to enable it effectively play its supportive role to his government.

According to Kekemeke, “On behalf of the State Working Committee, the State Executive Committee and the entire membership of our great Party, the All Progressives Congress in Ondo State, heartily congratulate you on your resounding victory in the just concluded Governorship election in Ondo State.

“The victory is an unequivocal expression of confidence by the people of Ondo state in your personal ability to lead; in the Party, the All Progressives Congress to effect change; and also in the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government of President Muhammadu Buhari to create a better Nigeria.

“Now that God and man have spoken, it is imperative for your Excellency to take the requisite steps to obfuscate whatever  Pre-primary and Post-primary divisions that exist in our Party to enable it effectively play its supportive role to your government.

“I have no doubt too that, your Excellency will also assure all the people of the State irrespective of partisan proclivity that, your administration will reconstruct government for the benefit of all.

“The good Lord that saw you through the rigorous party and general elections will endow you with all the wisdom, knowledge and strength needed to successfully accomplish the task ahead.”