PDP candidate rejects Ondo governorship election results, alleges fraud
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the Ondo State governorship election, Agboola Ajayi, has rejected the declared results, accusing the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of “criminality” during the poll.
Election results, announced on Sunday after Saturday’s voting, declared the APC’s Lucky Aiyedatiwa as the winner. The Returning Officer, Olayemi Akinwumi, Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University, Lokoja, Kogi State, announced that Aiyedatiwa, the incumbent governor, secured 366,781 votes, significantly surpassing Ajayi, who garnered 117,845 votes.
In a statement released by his Special Adviser, Ayo Fadaka, Ajayi stated that he remained silent initially to allow time to investigate alleged irregularities during the election.
He accused INEC and APC of orchestrating fraudulent activities that compromised the integrity of the election and indicated plans to challenge the outcome in court.
He said, “Since the conclusion of voting on Saturday 16th November, we have kept mute and put in process an investigation of the contents of criminality prosecuted by both APC and the INEC.
“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 can not thrive in an environment where unabated criminality is perpetually perpetrated in the prosecution of an election by the agency (INEC) saddled with the onerous and sacred responsibility to protect our franchise and deliver its mandate at the end of every election.
“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 that are diametrically in contrast with expressed electoral desires, thus resulting in promoting voters apathy and total disenchantment with the electoral process.
“Please recall that consistently we demanded the removal of the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ondo State, Toyin Babalola on account of her closeness and association with the APC and its candidate in that election, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, emerging results of our investigation continues to affirm that our fears were not misplaced as criminal actions prosecuted in that election are being unearthed.
“It is a shame that people bereft of honour and required pedigree now manage sensitive institutions saddled with sacred responsibilities.
“While not divulging the nature and extent of the results of our investigations for now, our only prayer is that those who possess the privileges to determine the fate of people and nation should begin to live up to expectations and fear God, in the interest of our nation, it’s wellness, peace and tranquility, else they be reduced to same level of criminals and bandits who continuously lay landmines that undermine the progress of our nation.
“We particularly call on the Judiciary to brace up and perform the sacred and onerous responsibilities to guarantee the portability of justice to people and institutions that seek it, the nation and people will appreciate that.
“Nigeria is currently described as a failed state, it is our prayers that it is revived, rebirthed and resounding again as a nation that will not only hold promises of a better day for its people, but actually deliver on same.
“Thus honesty must propel institutions and government, else revolt will one day dictate unwholesome developments that will portent dire consequences.
“In summary, we reject the results of the Nov 16th 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.
“It is time we begin to eschew criminality from our electoral process.”
