National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, has said the outcome of the Ondo State governorship poll, which saw the election of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, was not influenced by the presidency or any other external force. Ganduje made this known yesterday in Abuja while receiving the governor-elect at the APC national secretariat.

He said, ?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 elite 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.?

Ganduje told Aiyedatiwa, ?You enjoyed the support of the electorate 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 emphasised that the people of Ondo State voted en masse for the governor across the 18 local councils.

He said the victory recorded by the party in 202 out of 203 wards spoke volumes for the level of acceptability of APC in the state.

Expressing optimism that APC would sustain its winning streak after Aiyedatiwa?s tenure, Ganduje charged the governor to consolidate on the achievements of his predecessor, late Rotimi Akeredolu.

Ganduje said it behoved on Aiyedatiwa to ensure even spread of development projects and avoid falling into the trap of abandonment of projects.

Aiyedatiwa had earlier expressed gratitude to the party and the electorate 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, which APC represented.

The governor said, ?I cannot but come here to appreciate the party ? the platform that gave me the opportunity to run the race. Come here to stop over to thank you. It?s not a case of being disrespectful not to present my certificate of return to you, but to wait for the return of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.? (THISDAY Editorial)