The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the recently concluded Ondo State governorship election, Agboola Ajayi, has rejected the election results, alleging widespread irregularities and "criminality" orchestrated by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Announced on Sunday by the election's Returning Officer, Prof. Olayemi Akinwumi, APC's Lucky Aiyedatiwa was declared winner with 366,781 votes, defeating Ajayi, who garnered 117,845 votes. Aiyedatiwa’s victory secures his continued tenure as governor.
In a statement by his Special Adviser, Ayo Fadaka, Ajayi expressed dissatisfaction with the process, citing evidence of vote-buying and manipulation. He accused INEC of compromising its responsibilities and called for legal redress to overturn the outcome.
"November 16th election, like every other election conducted by INEC since APC assumed power in 2015, continues in the tradition of hijacking the process and delivering results diametrically in contrast with expressed electoral desires," Ajayi stated. He also reiterated PDP's concerns about the impartiality of Ondo’s Resident Electoral Commissioner, Toyin Babalola, citing alleged ties to the APC.
The PDP's national body also condemned the election as "the worst ever conducted by INEC." In a statement, the party alleged rampant vote-buying, describing it as a reflection of the ruling party's policies that have "impoverished Nigerians."
The PDP Ondo State chapter urged supporters to remain calm, promising to communicate the next steps soon. In a show of gratitude, the chapter acknowledged the contributions of prominent party figures, including Governors Ademola Adeleke (Osun) and Seyi Makinde (Oyo), and Acting National Chairman Amb. Umar Damagun.
As the PDP prepares to challenge the results in court, the controversy surrounding the Ondo governorship election underscores ongoing debates about electoral integrity in Nigeria.
