President Goodluck Jonathan has congratulated Gov. Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State on his declaration by INEC as the winner of the Oct. 20 governorship election in the State.
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Reuben Abati, said in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday that the president also commended the dutiful, patriotic and law-abiding electorate of Ondo State.
Abati said the president also gave kudos to INEC personnel and security agencies who ensured that the election was “peacefully and successfully conducted.
The conduct, he stressed was in keeping with President Jonathan’s administration’s commitment to making elections in Nigeria progressively? better organised and more credible’’.
“As Gov. Mimiko looks forward to the commencement of his second term in office, the president urges him to be prepared to work even harder to justify the fresh mandate given to him by the people of Ondo state who voted for his re-election on Saturday,’’ Abati added.
He said President Jonathan assured Mimiko that the Federal Government would continue to engage constructively and positively with the Ondo State government in collaborative efforts to achieve faster socio-economic development and better living conditions for people in the state and in all other parts of Nigeria.
Dr. Mimiko polled 260,199 votes at Saturday’s election to emerge winner.
He beat his two closest rivals, PDP’s Olusola Oke who polled 155,961 votes and CAN’s Oluwarotimi Akeredolu who got 143,512 votes.
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However, Aminu Tambuwal, the Speaker of the House of Representatives,? on Sunday? in Abuja congratulated Gov. Olusegun Mimiko over his re-election as governor of Ondo.
?In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Malam Imam Imam, Tambuwal noted that Mimiko’s victory was a manifestation of the people’s trust in his leadership abilities.
Tambuwal said the governor should make sure that the trust and confidence reposed in him by the populace spur him to re-dedicate himself to the service of the people of the state.
The speaker urged the governor to rise above partisan consideration and carry all the people along in the task of building the state.
He also urged those with grievances from the outcome of the election to pursue their cases in accordance to the law.?
Tambuwal said they should accept the result in good fate and cooperate with the winner in the interest of the people.
He pledged the cooperation of the House to the governor, saying the lawmakers would work with all persons and interest groups to deepen democracy in the country.?
Mimiko,? the Labour Party’s candidate, polled 260, 199 votes to defeat PDP candidate, Mr Olusola? Oke? who scored 155, 961 votes and Rotimi Akeredolu of the CAN, who? polled 155, 961 votes.