..PDP rejects outcome, calls for review
..Go to court if dissatisfied, Tinubu tells PDP, others
..Plot to capture Oyo, Osun on course – Ganduje
..Let’s build Ondo State together, Aiyedatiwa to opposition parties
After months of intense campaigns and political intrigues, Ondo residents have chosen their governor for the next four years – Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
The Returning Officer for the election Olayemi Akinwumi, who is also the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University, Lokoja, Kogi State declared Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC) the winner of the election on Sunday, extending the governor’s stay at the Government House in Alagbaka, Akure.
Aiyedatiwa, the incumbent governor of the Sunshine State polled 366,781 votes to defeat his closest rival and a former deputy governor of the state Ajayi Agboola who flew the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flag. He scored 117,845 votes, more than twice lower than the APC candidate.
“That Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa of the APC having satisfied the requirement of the law is hereby declared the winner and is returned elected,” the returning officer said at exactly 2:30 pm at the INEC collation centre in Akure.
The declaration came hours after the collation of results for the election began in the early hours of Sunday. Although the collation centre went on breaks, the APC took a commanding lead with over 200,000 votes ahead of the PDP.
The final results showed that the APC won the election in a landslide, clearing all 18 local government areas.
Aiyedatiwa’s Ascension To Power
Lucky Aiyedatiwa was sworn in as governor on Wednesday, December 27, 2023.
Having been declared the winner of the election, Aiyedatiwa is set to extend his stay at the helm of affairs in the oil-rich state. He – a former deputy governor – ascended to power on December 27th, 2023 after Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s death.
Akeredolu died on the same day after a lengthy battle with illness and had before his demise transmitted power to Aiyedatiwa.
He thereafter won the APC’s ticket for the 2024 governorship election in Ondo, pitting him against 17 other candidates including Agboola who was also a former deputy to Akeredolu during his first term in office.
Aiyedatiwa faced stiff competition from Agboola in the leadup to the election but in his campaigns, he promised a better economy and welfare package for workers across the state. The governor pointed to his signing of N73,000 as minimum wage – higher than the N70,000 earmarked by the Federal Government – as a testament to this.
PDP Alleges Compromise
Voting on election day began early with INEC officials arriving at the polling units at dawn. The exercise was largely peaceful with little or known cases of violence.
Governor Aiyedatiwa after casting his vote expressed confidence about his victory, hinging his hopes on the good “works” of his government.
“I believe I’m in an advantaged position to win this election because of the work that I have done in the last 10 months since I assumed office as the governor of the state,” he said.
“We traversed the entire 18 local governments; and visited communities all across.”
But the PDP candidate has accused INEC of compromising the election. He accused the electoral body of deliberating slowing the process – a ploy to rig the poll.
“The system is compromised and I have had a series of calls today. People are complaining about vote buying and the BVAS is not working,” he said on Saturday after voting.
“It is a very shameful exercise and I think Nigerians should just call on the chairman of the electoral commission Prof Mahmood Yakubu. If you cannot do the job, please just honourably resign. He should resign. This is embarrassing. It [election] is totally compromised.”
Observers Decry Vote-Buying
Though the election went on smoothly, observers believe it was marred by vote-buying across the state. They said the trend went on “openly and unchecked”.
“Situation Room notes the trend of persistent vote trading during elections in Nigeria,” the Situation Room said in its assessment of the poll.
“This situation has continued unabatedly, and heightened in this election. It is worrying that, despite the high presence of security personnel at the polling units, vote trading went on openly and unchecked during the voting hours.”
Ondo guber: Go to court if dissatisfied, Tinubu tells PDP, others
President Bola Tinubu has urged candidates dissatisfied with the outcome of the Ondo State governorship election to explore the opportunities provided by the judicial system to seek redress.
President Tinubu who congratulated Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC) also commended the peaceful conduct of the process.
The President congratulated other candidates of the 17 political parties for the maturity and sense of purpose demonstrated during the campaigns and the election, attributing the success of the polls to the civility in the state.
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, in a statement enjoined political actors to allow their orderly conduct permeate the post-election activities and processes.
“Those dissatisfied with the outcome of the election can explore the opportunities provided by the judicial system to seek redress on areas of conflict,” the statement read.
“President Tinubu believes the Ondo State election was another litmus test of the capacity of the Independent National Electoral Commission, affirming that the electoral body justified the confidence of the people with early preparations, deployment of staff and materials, and handling of the electoral process.”
The President also commended INEC for the efficiency of uploading more than 98 per cent of results on the same day of the election.
The President extended his appreciation to the Nigerian Police Force, National Civil Defence Corps, Federal Road Safety Corps, National Youth Service Corps, the military and other security outfits for their professionalism in maintaining peace and order.
PDP rejects outcome of Ondo election, calls for review
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the result of the governor election in Ondo state.
Lucky Aiyedatiwa, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was declared winner of the Ondo state governorship election held on Saturday.
Aiyedatiwa, the incumbent governor of Ondo state, won the election in all 18 LGAs with 366,781 votes to defeat his closest rival, Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who secured 117,845 votes.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Debo Ologunagba, PDP spokesperson, said the poll “runs short of all expectations and requirements of a free, fair and credible election”.
“The Peoples Democratic Party and indeed all lovers of democracy in Nigeria and across the world have just witnessed the worst election conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),” the statement reads.
Ologunagba said the election “witnessed the height of electoral swindle, deceit and manipulation” allegedly perpetrated by the APC.
He said the poll “witnessed widespread election merchandising, monetisation and barefaced vote buying” and voter suppression.
Ologunagba said Nigerians and the international community should take “serious action” to stem all forms of election manipulation and preserve the nation’s democracy.
The PDP spokesman said the party will “take appropriate action” after reviewing the election outcome.
Let’s build Ondo State together, Aiyedatiwa to opposition parties
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has urged opposition parties to join hands with him and develop the state together.
Aiyedatiwa’s call came after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had on Sunday declared him the winner of Saturday’s govenorship election in the state.
Recall that Aiyedatiwa polled 366,781 votes, while Ajayi scored 117,835 votes across the 18 local government areas of Ondo State.
Aiyedatiwa was the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the election.
In his acceptance speech, Aiyedatiwa while promising to run an all inclusive government, commended INEC and security agencies and all stakeholders involved in the election for a diligent job done.
He also appreciated President Bola Tinubu for providing exemplary leadership by ensuring a level playing ground in the just concluded election
Aiyedatiwa later dedicated his victory firstly to God and secondly to the memories of his former boss, late Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu.
As your governor, I promise to continue to run an inclusive and participatory government, where every citizen has a voice and an opportunity to contribute to our collective progress.
“We will continue to prioritise the welfare of our people, foster economic growth, and ensure that our state remains a beacon of hope and prosperity for generations to come.
” Now that the elections are over, it is time to rededicate ourselves to the service of our dear state.
“I therefore want to extend a hand of fellowship to the opposition parties and to invite you to collaborate with us in the onerous task of building a better Ondo State for the overall good of our people.
“Let us put aside our differences and work together to create a brighter future for ourselves, our children, and our communities,” he said.
Speaking in an interview with newsmen after the official declaration of results, the APC National Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje, said the plot to take over Oyo and Osun states had started.
Ganduje said he was happy that the people of Ondo state showed their love for the party through their votes.
Also present at the event were some APC governors including Babajide Sanwo Olu of Lagos State, Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq of Kwara and Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State.
Others were Gov. Abiodun Oyebanji of Ekiti, Babagana Zulum of Borno State, Rev. Hyacinth Alia of Benue, Sen. Monday Okpebholo of Edo, Bassey Otu of Cross River and
Hope Uzodinma of Imo State
