The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will officially present certificates of return to Ondo State Governor-elect, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and his deputy on Wednesday. The presentation will take place at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
This was confirmed by the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, who stated, “The certificates of return will be presented by INEC to the governor-elect and his deputy on Wednesday at the commission’s headquarters.”
INEC declared Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the governorship election after he secured 366,781 votes, defeating the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Agboola Ajayi, who garnered 117,845 votes.
However, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has rejected the election results. Speaking to journalists on Monday in Akure, the state capital, SDP Chairman in Ondo, Gbenga Akinbuli, described the election as a “shame on democracy,” citing allegations of harassment, intimidation of party agents, and widespread vote-buying. Akinbuli called for the cancellation of the election, revealing that the party’s legal team is already reviewing the outcome.
He said, “Our agents were intimidated and unable to monitor proceedings at polling units. Voters were not allowed to come out, and less than 600,000 votes were recorded from over two million registered voters. This is unacceptable and a disgrace to democracy. Our legal team is demanding the immediate cancellation of the election.”
The SDP’s candidate, Bamidele Akingboye, who polled 438 votes, also criticized the process, alleging irregularities and harassment. “I was shocked by the level of intimidation and misconduct during the election. This is not an election the people of Ondo deserve,” he stated.
In response, the APC dismissed the allegations as baseless. Steve Otaloro, Director of Media and Publicity for the Ondo APC, described the claims as “ridiculous and misleading,” emphasizing that the election was widely observed and commended as credible.
Otaloro said, “This election has been adjudged by both local and international observers, including YAGA Africa, as the most credible in Ondo State’s recent history. The people have spoken by re-electing Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa with a clear mandate of 366,781 votes across all 18 local government areas.”
He urged opposition parties to take their grievances to the election tribunal instead of discrediting the process through press statements.
