The Ondo State chapter of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has rejected the outcome of Saturday’s governorship election, calling it a “show of shame.”
According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate and incumbent governor, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, won the election with 366,781 votes, defeating his opponents.
Addressing journalists on Monday in Akure, the state capital, SDP chairman Mr. Gbenga Akinbuli condemned the election, citing widespread harassment and intimidation of the party’s agents. He also alleged that many voters were prevented from casting their ballots, while vote-buying was rampant.
“Our legal team is already reviewing the election outcome,” Akinbuli said, calling for the cancellation of the results.
He added, “If our agents are present at every polling unit and each casts a vote, we should record at least 2,000 votes. How then do the results reflect such low figures for our party? We reject this outright.
“Our agents arrived at polling units as early as 7 a.m., but they were intimidated and driven out. Voters were afraid to come out. How can you register over two million voters and then report less than 600,000 votes? It’s a disgrace. Many people told me they feared for their lives and stayed away.
“This wasn’t an election; it was a buyer-and-seller affair. We demand an immediate cancellation of the results.”
SDP governorship candidate Mr. Bamidele Akingboye, who garnered 438 votes, also decried the election as riddled with irregularities. He alleged that SDP members were harassed by political thugs at several polling units.
“For the past month, I’ve been urging the people of Ondo State to vote,” Akingboye said. “Saturday was supposed to mark our liberation from the hunger and hardship we’ve endured. But what I witnessed was shocking.
“In my unit in Okitipupa, Ward 2, Unit 10, vote-buying was conducted openly. I refused to partake in any illegality because I stand for integrity. This election was deeply flawed, and I believe the results were predetermined.
“Videos circulating online show shocking incidents, including an elderly woman admitting she was paid to vote. This is unacceptable.
“Our party will not condone illegality. While the chairman has demanded the election’s cancellation, I am asking to be declared the winner. People intended to vote for me, but our agents were chased away, and thuggery prevailed. I am the rightful winner, and INEC must declare me as such.”
