By Ayomide Otitoju
The Ondo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on its supporters to remain calm following the declaration of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the 2024 gubernatorial election.
Aiyedatiwa, the incumbent governor, secured a second term after polling 366,781 votes to defeat PDP candidate and former deputy governor Ajayi Agboola, who garnered 117,845 votes. The APC candidate won decisively, sweeping all 18 local government areas.
The results were announced by the Returning Officer, Prof. Olayemi Akinwumi, Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University, Lokoja, at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) collation center in Akure on Sunday. “Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa of the APC, having satisfied the requirements of the law, is hereby declared the winner and returned elected,” Akinwumi declared.
While the APC celebrated the landslide victory, the PDP denounced the election as a “sham,” accusing the ruling party of widespread vote-buying and election manipulation. In a statement, PDP National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba said, “The November 16, 2024, governorship election in Ondo State fell short of all expectations for a free, fair, and credible election, marked by electoral swindle and deceit by the APC.”
The PDP alleged that the APC leveraged poverty to suppress voter choice through monetized tactics. “The APC’s actions highlight their use of poverty as a weapon of mass subjugation,” the party said, urging Nigerians and the international community to take action to protect democracy.
Despite the controversy, congratulatory messages poured in for Aiyedatiwa from political leaders, including former President Muhammadu Buhari and President Bola Tinubu, who advised aggrieved parties to seek redress in court.
In a statement on Monday, PDP Ondo State Publicity Secretary Kennedy Ikantu Peretei expressed gratitude to supporters and promised to communicate the party’s next steps. “We urge our supporters to remain calm and steadfast. Your dedication to our vision for a better Ondo State was evident, and we thank you for your resilience,” he said.
The party reaffirmed its commitment to addressing Ondo State’s challenges and working toward economic growth, improved healthcare, and education. PDP leaders also extended appreciation to party stakeholders, including Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, and the PDP National Working Committee, for their support during the election campaign.
While the APC moves forward with Aiyedatiwa’s second term, the PDP appears poised to contest the election outcome, signaling potential legal battles ahead.
