By Francesca Hangeior

The All Progressives Congress has congratulated the Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, on his re-election in the just-concluded governorship election.

 
Aiyedatiwa won the election, having polled a total of 366,781 votes across all 18 Local Government Areas of the state.

 
He defeated his closest rival — Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party, who got 117,845 votes.

 
In a statement issued by the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, on Sunday, and made available to PUNCH Online, the party described Aiyedatiwa as a “clear attestation” that his administration’s policies “resonated deeply with the electorate.”

 
The statement read, “The All Progressives Congress (APC) heartily congratulates the Governor of Ondo State, His Excellency, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, on his re-election.

 
“Your Excellency’s resounding victory in the just-concluded Ondo State gubernatorial election is a clear attestation that your administration’s policies and programmes and campaign message of hope and consolidation have resonated deeply with the electorate.

By Francesca Hangeior

The Chairman/CEO Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has congratulated Nigeria’s Chidimma Adetshina for emerging second at Miss Universe 2024, describing it as a reward for her doggedness and resilience.

In a congratulatory statement issued by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols of the Commission, the NIDCOM boss was excited that despite all odds, Chidimma remained focused and attained her goals.

Dabiri-Erewa said though Chidimma Adetshina as Nigeria’s representative, finished as the first runner-up at the 73rd Miss Universe Competition held in Mexico, her courage, determination and support from Nigeria eventually paid off. She was also named Miss Africa and Oceania 2024.

Dabiri-Erewa recalled Adetshina’s controversial official withdrawal from the Miss South Africa 2024 contest, of which she had advanced to the final stage ,some few months back, noting that Nigeria warmly welcomed her, after being literally forced out of South Africa.

While in Nigeria, accompanied by President Silverbird group, Mr Guy Murray Bruce, Chidinma was warmly received at the NIDCOM Lagos office, and thereafter hosted to a grand reception at Idris Olorunnibe’s “The Temple,” Victoria Island ,with music legend, Dbanj in attendance.

Describing her as brilliant, focussed and determined, she urged others to emulate the spirit of Nigerianess in Chidimma by being proud of the country and not run it down under whatever guise.

The competition, described as one of the most thrilling in recent years, celebrated the talents, intelligence, and elegance of women from around the globe.

Nigeria came second behind Miss Denmark, Victoria Kjaer Theilvig, who won the keenly contested crown from Miss Universe 2023, Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua.

It will be recalled that Chidimma was rejected by South Africa who expressed worries and questioned her nationality.

Due to that, Adetshina came to Nigeria to represent Taraba State and won the title of Miss Universe Nigeria.organised by the Silverbird group.

President Bola Tinubu on Sunday felicitated Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for winning Saturday’s governorship election held in the state.

The president also commended the peaceful conduct of the process.

Tinubu’s congratulatory message was conveyed in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, titled ‘President Tinubu congratulates Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa on election in Ondo State.’

The Independent National Electoral Commission on Sunday declared Aiyedatiwa, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, as the winner of the election.

The Returning Officer of the exercise, who is also the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Lokoja, Prof Olayemi Akinwunmi, declared Aiyedatiwa winner having polled 366,781 votes to defeat his closest rival, Ajayi Agboola of the Peoples Democratic Party with 117,845 votes.

The President congratulated Aiyedatiwa and other candidates of the 17 political parties for the maturity and sense of purpose demonstrated during the campaigns and the election.

“He enjoins the political actors to allow their orderly conduct to permeate the post-election activities and processes.

“President Tinubu believes the Ondo State election was another litmus test of the capacity of the Independent National Electoral Commission, affirming that the electoral body justified the confidence of the people with early preparations, deployment of staff and materials and handling of the electoral process,” the statement read.

The President also commended INEC for the efficiency of uploading more than 98 per cent of results on the same day of the elections.

He extended his appreciation to the Nigerian Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Federal Road Safety Corps, National Youth Service Corps, the military and other security outfits for their professionalism in maintaining peace and order.

Tinubu urged candidates dissatisfied with the outcome of the election to explore the opportunities provided by the judicial system to seek redress in areas of conflict.