The Minister of State for Niger Delta, Prof. Claudius Daramola, on Wednesday, ascribed the victory of All Progressives Congress (APC) in the last guber polls in Ondo State to the counsel of President Muhammadu Buhari.
He disclosed this at a joint briefing of the state House press corps with Plateau Gov. Simon Lalong, Ondo State Gov-Elect, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu and his running mate Mr Agboola Ajayi.
According to the minister, the visit of the president to the state on Nov. 19 was the turning point in the fortunes of the party thus removing the party from the four-decade opposition.
“The presence of our President on Nov. 19, in Akure, the Ondo State capital actually won the election for us because he spoke to the people and the people accepted him and they voted for us massively.
“And today we are happy for it, and I am saying here in the presence of the governor-elect that we will not fail the people of the state.
“We have given our promises to them and we will add to this, we will not leave anyone of them out.
“Ondo state had been in opposition for almost four decades and today we are happy that today our people are out of political and economic bondage.
“We have now joined the mainstream.’’
The minister said the state was happy for what transpired in the state and predicted that the governor-elect would have a second term.
The gov.-elect, Akeredolu said he seriously appreciated the President after the election and that his gratitude extends to all leaders of the party, including Sen. Bola Tinubu.
He said his relationship with Tinubu was not strained in any way and that the Senator had congratulated him for the victory which was for the entire party in the state.
The gov.-elect said upon his assumption to the office he would examine the finances of the state to determine whether to review his campaign promises.
