Peterside who was the governorship candidate of the APC in Rivers State in the 2015 general elections noted that Chief Akeredolu defeated the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alliance for Democracy (AD), Social Democratic Party (SDP), among others in a keenly contested election that has been adjudged free, fair and credible.
He opined that the APC is the party to beat in any free, fair and credible election devoid of violence and intimidation because of the credibility of its candidates and general acceptance of the party.
The NIMASA DG called on the governor-elect to be humble and magnanimous in his victory and to see his emergence as the wish of the people of Ondo State in their yearning to chart a new course in the realization of their hopes and aspirations.
“The people of Ondo State have spoken in a loud and clear voice. They have chosen the candidate of their choice in a free and fair manner. I have always said that APC will win any free and fair contest. I congratulate the people of Ondo State and Chief Rotimi Akeredolu for this victory.
“I call on Chief Akeredolu to see his victory as that of the entire Ondo State people. The fact that he won across the three senatorial zones means he was popularly elected.
“They have put their confidence in him and the onus is now on him to assuage their feelings and begin to set the template for fulfilling their hopes and aspirations,” Dr. Peterside stated.
He urged the people of Rivers State to follow the Ondo State example during the December 10, 2016 rerun election and reintegrate into the mainstream of Nigerian politics so as to get maximum benefit from development programmes at the centre.