Following the emergency of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State in last Saturday’s election, the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Abdullahi Ganduje, said the outcome was not influenced by the presidency or any other external force.

Ganduje emphasised that the entire strata of Ondo people voted en masse for the governor across the 18 local government councils.

The APC national chairman said the victory recorded by the party in 202 out of 203 wards spoke volumes about the level of acceptability of APC in the state.

Ganduje stated this on Wednesday in Abuja while receiving the governor-elect at the APC national secretariat.

He stated: “There is no subterranean support from any quarters. No external influence from the government, the presidency or any other external forces.

“The election is not the effort of the elites alone. It is not the effort of the middle class alone; it is the effort of the grassroots.

“This must be an issue that was embraced by all. You enjoyed the support of the electorates in the state. We have to congratulate you for this landslide victory. I know Ondo people are progressives, which is why they will cooperate with you.”

Ganduje charged the governor to consolidate on the achievements of his predecessor, late Rotimi Akeredolu.

He said it behooves on Aiyedatiwa who is conversant with the nooks and crannies of the 18 councils of the state, to ensure the even spread of developmental projects and avoid falling into the trap of abandonment of projects in the state.

Earlier, Aiyedatiwa expressed gratitude to the party and the electorates in Ondo State for their overwhelming support for him in last Saturday’s governorship poll.

He added that the people of Ondo State knew who they wanted and they voted for integrity, continuity, and good leadership that the APC represents.

Ondo governorship election not influenced by Presidency – Ganduje