Kehinde Fajobi
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the outcome of the Ondo State governorship election, in which Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was declared the winner.
Aiyedatiwa, the incumbent governor, emerged victorious with 366,781 votes, winning in all 18 local government areas.
His closest rival, Agboola Ajayi of the PDP, garnered 117,845 votes.
In a statement issued on Sunday, PDP spokesperson Debo Ologunagba criticised the election process, describing it as a far cry from democratic standards.
“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.
Ologunagba accused the ruling APC of orchestrating widespread electoral malpractice, including vote-buying and voter suppression.
He said, “The election witnessed the height of electoral swindle, deceit, and manipulation, perpetrated by the APC. It was marred by widespread election merchandising, monetisation, and barefaced vote buying.”
The PDP spokesman urged Nigerians and the international community to take decisive action against election malpractice to safeguard the country’s democracy.
“Nigerians and the international community should take serious action to stem all forms of election manipulation and preserve the nation’s democracy,” he added.
Ologunagba further disclosed that the PDP is reviewing the election’s outcome and will “take appropriate action” based on its findings.