Governor Lucky Ayedatiwa of Ondo State has said he will accept defeat if the gubernatorial election is not in his favor.
Lucky Ayedatiwa said he would accept the results as long as the voting process was peaceful.
The Ondo State governor, who is seeking re-election under the All Progressives Congress (APC), made this statement to reporters shortly after voting on Saturday (today).
He commended the staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security personnel and the people for the peaceful electoral process.
“I just voted. From the information I have, the region has been peaceful by previous assessments, but judging by what’s happening here, it’s peaceful. People generally vote peacefully. I’m exercising my right to vote and I’d like to believe this is what’s happening in other parts of the state.
“As for INEC, they have been very transparent about the whole process. I went through the certification process myself and was given a ballot and voted. That is what they have done with every voter. So I think that’s the process. So they're following the process.
“But they are also on the ground for security. And so far, no problems or crises have been recorded. Anyway, I haven’t heard anything. I only have access to one voting unit at a time. I can’t exist. That’s where I am.
“But the information was gathered from other places. I have not heard that there were any incidents of violence, so to speak. So I would like to believe that the elections will be held peacefully.
“Even during an election, different elections come at different times. With the exception of 1983, when we had a big crisis, we have still had peace since then. We have learned our lessons. I would also like to pay tribute to the young people who were very, very obedient.The whole exercise was peaceful, transparent, reliable and decisive. I want to believe that it will become a reality,” the governor said.
The Ondo State governor appealed to other people of the state to vote. I explained that I would accept the results.
“I want to say to all residents of Ondo State, the people, especially those who have not voted, to go and vote. Then again, whatever the outcome of the exercise is, we all accept it as a decision, a decision of the people. Should.
“Well, unless it’s in my party’s favor, unless we’ve had some kind of fraudulent incident. Why not? That’s it. But if we were to become aware of some practice… , or, as I said, I can only speak from my unit here, and I can’t be in every voting unit, but from what I’ve heard from other places, so far. But overall, at the end of the day, if things stay the same, I’m willing to accept the outcome,” Governor Aiyedatiwa added.
