Jegede: Why I Did Not Challenge Nov 26 Election Result

James Sowole in Akure

The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the November 26, 2016 election in Ondo State, Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), has said he decided not to challenge the result of the election in order to move forward.

Jegede in a statement he issued in Akure to felicitate with Christians for the Christmas celebration, said he decided to move on as a statesman despite the glaring conspiracy against his mandate.

He emphasised that though the outcome was not as expected, he chose to accept the result in the spirit of sportsmanship hence his congratulatory message to Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“We were in the contest, neither for self-seeking nor pettiness, but for service and value. Despite the noted and obvious infractions against our mandate, it is now time to move on. Tomorrow is another day”, he said.

He expressed, appreciation to Governor Olusegun Mimiko, the PDP national leadership under Senator Ahmed Markafi, the Ondo State executives led by Mr. Clement Faboyede, residents of Ondo State, lovers of democracy who had taken interest in the affairs of the state in recent times, the Nigerian judiciary, religious leaders, and opinion moulders.

“I appeal to PDP faithful to remain steadfast as we endure the trying times that might be ahead. I am confident that we will in due course bounce back to reckoning with God and the people on our side,” he said.
Jegede equally charged Christians to see Christmas beyond the annual commemoration and reflect on its lessons of love, sacrifice, sharing and redemption.

He expressed optimism that the coming year would herald good tidings for the people just as he prayed God to bless the works of their hands.

“We must learn from Christmas the imperative of love, even for adherents of other religions as this is how to promote peace and development,” Jegede advised.