Agboola Ajayi, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the just-concluded Ondo State governorship election, has rejected the results, alleging that the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) perpetuated “criminality” during the exercise.
The election results were announced on Sunday, November 17, 2024, after extensive voting on Saturday. The election Return Officer, Olayemi Akinwumi, who is also the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University, Lokoja, Kogi State, declared Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the APC winner of the election, extending the governor’s stay at the Government House in Alagbaka, Akure.
Aiyedatiwa, the incumbent governor of the state, polled 366,781 votes to defeat his closest rival and former deputy governor of the state, Agboola Ajayi, who flew the PDP flag. Ajayi scored 117,845 votes, less than one-third of the APC candidate’s tally.
PDP Rejects Election Results
Ajayi, in a statement released by his Special Adviser, Ayo Fadaka, said he had remained silent since the results were announced to investigate “contents of criminality perpetrated by both APC and the INEC.”
“Since the conclusion of voting on Saturday, November 16, we have kept mute and put in process an investigation of the contents of criminality prosecuted by both APC and the INEC,” Ajayi said. “In view of the foregoing, we have uncovered lots of actions undertaken to compromise the electoral desires of the people and sadly conclude that democracy cannot thrive in an environment where unabated criminality is perpetually perpetrated in the prosecution of an election by the agency (INEC) saddled with the sacred responsibility to protect our franchise and deliver its mandate.”
He also accused the APC of hijacking the electoral process and blamed INEC for allegedly aiding the manipulation of votes. Ajayi pointed to what he called “rampant vote-buying” and questioned the neutrality of the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ondo State, Toyin Babalola, whom he had previously requested to be removed.
PDP’s National Body Condemns Election as ‘Sham’
The PDP’s national leadership echoed Ajayi’s grievances, calling the election “the worst ever conducted by INEC.” In a statement, the party described the exercise as “a sham” marred by vote-buying and manipulation.
“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 read. “The November 16, 2024, Governorship election in Ondo State runs short of all expectations and requirements of a free, fair and credible election as it witnessed the height of electoral swindle, deceit and manipulation by the All Progressives Congress (APC).”
The PDP also claimed that the APC’s alleged impoverishment of Nigerians made vote-buying widespread.
Ajayi Heads to Court
Ajayi announced his intention to pursue legal action against the APC and INEC. “It is time we begin to eschew criminality from our electoral process,” he stated. “In summary, we reject the results of the November 16 election and will take legal actions to reverse the debauchery. That is the option available to us, and we are hopeful that man and God, who is the ultimate, will give us justice.”
PDP Calls for Calm
The Ondo State chapter of the PDP urged its supporters to remain calm as the party explores its next steps. “All our supporters should be calm and remain steadfast as the next line of action will be communicated to them in due course,” a statement from the party read.
The party expressed gratitude to its supporters and reiterated its commitment to improving the state’s governance. “We recognize that this election was not just about winning or losing but about the future of our great state and its people. We are proud to have had the opportunity to engage with you, listen to your concerns, and share our vision for a prosperous and inclusive Ondo State.”
Security and the Way Forward
The Ondo governorship election was conducted under tight security, with officers deployed across polling units to maintain peace. However, allegations of vote-buying and manipulation have cast a shadow over the results, intensifying the scrutiny on Nigeria’s electoral process.
As Ajayi prepares to challenge the results in court, the case could set a precedent for how electoral disputes are resolved in the country, particularly in an era where trust in the process appears to be waning. The PDP’s national body has called on the judiciary to ensure justice and protect the sanctity of Nigeria’s democracy.
