The All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers at the Ondo State House of Assembly have endorsed Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa as their preferred aspirant for the state Nov.16 governorship election.

Olamide Oladiji, the speaker of the House said this when he spoke with journalists shortly after a closed-door meeting with the national working committee (NWC) of the party on Monday in Abuja.

He said the meeting was to thank the party’s leadership for ensuring peace in the state after the death of Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu.

Mr Oladiji lauded Abdullahi Ganduje, the APC national chairman, for playing a vital role in the return of peace to the state’s chapter.

“If not for your intervention, we wouldn’t have been enjoying the peace we enjoy in Ondo APC today,” the speaker said.

He added that the state’s lawmakers were in support of the party’s leadership and the President Bola Tinubu-led administration and would continue to work with it to achieve the Renewed Hope Agenda.

He said that Mr Aiyedatiwa had been able to turn around things in the state within his few days on the mantle of leadership.

“We will work to ensure the continuity of his government and the APC in Ondo State.

“The state is at peace under its new governor contrary to what those outside it may say. Aiyedatiwa’s achievement just in few months in office is there for all to see.

“He has continued the legacy of the deceased governor and has been able to bring a synergy between the judiciary and the state executive,” he said.

Mr Ganduje in his response, appreciated the lawmakers for the visit and expressed happiness that the party’s leadership was able to resolve the crisis in the state chapter.

Mr Ganduje said although the party had planned a well articulated programme to produce a worthy governorship candidate, the cooperation of its members was critical to achieve a successful primary election to pick its governorship candidate.

The APC had scheduled the state governorship primaries for April.

Mr Aiyedatiwa, who was the late Mr Akeredolu’s deputy, took over as the governor after his death in December 2023 in line with the constitution.

(NAN)