Ondo gov: Go to court, Tinubu tells aggrieved PDP, others

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on candidates dissatisfied with the results of the Ondo State governorship election to utilize the judiciary to address their grievances.

This comes as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC) the winner of the election.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu congratulated Governor Aiyedatiwa and lauded the peaceful conduct of the election. He also commended the 17 political parties and their candidates for their maturity during the campaigns and on election day.

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“Those dissatisfied with the outcome of the election can explore the opportunities provided by the judicial system to seek redress on areas of conflict,” the statement read.

President Tinubu noted that the Ondo election demonstrated the capacity of INEC to deliver credible polls, highlighting the timely deployment of electoral staff and materials as well as the uploading of over 98% of results on the same day.

He also expressed appreciation to the security agencies, including the Nigerian Police Force, National Civil Defence Corps, Federal Road Safety Corps, National Youth Service Corps, and the military, for their professionalism in ensuring a peaceful electoral process.

Tinubu emphasized the importance of maintaining civility in post-election activities and urged political actors to continue fostering peace in the state.

Ondo gov: Go to court, Tinubu tells aggrieved PDP, others

[UPDATED] [Breaking] APC’s Lucky Aiyedatiwa wins Ondo governorship election

Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the All Progressive Congress (APC) candidate, has emerged victorious in the Ondo governorship election.

Olayemi Akinwumi, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) returning officer, disclosed the results in Akure, Ondo’s capital, on Sunday.

Aiyedatiwa, the incumbent governor, secured 366,781 votes, surpassing Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who garnered 117,845 votes.

Nejo Adeyemi, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, trailed behind with 4,138 votes.

The APC dominated the election, winning all 18 local government areas, while the PDP failed to secure any victories.

The off-cycle election in Ondo, contested by 17 candidates, took place peacefully, with minimal violence reported.

Prior to the election, Aiyedatiwa expressed confidence in his victory, citing his impressive record in office.

Aiyedatiwa emphasized that he was the sole candidate to have visited all 18 local government areas, adding that he’s willing to concede defeat if the election is free from manipulation.

Ajayi, Aiyedatiwa’s closest rival, expressed concerns regarding INEC’s capability to ensure a fair electoral process.

The PDP candidate also criticized the commission’s sluggish pace, alleging that it constitutes a “deliberate attempt to rig the polls”.

ONDO STATE GUBERNATORIAL ELECTION RESULTS (UPDATED)

1– Akure North

APC 14, 451

PDP 5, 787

2–Okitipupa

• APC 26, 811
• PDP 10, 233

3—Akoko Northeast

APC 25, 657

Ondo election: Again, INEC shifts collation of results to noon

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has shifted the collation of results for the Ondo State governorship election from 5am to noon.

The Returning Officer, Prof Olayemi Akinwunmi, had earlier announced that collation of the remaining five council areas will resume by 5 a.m. (Sunday), but later said it commences by noon.

Prof Akinwunmi is the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Lokoja.

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Akinwunmi, who announced the recess, said it is to give room for the arrival of results from the remaining council areas.

He said: “We have five more local governments but we are going to take our recess now until 5am to receive some receive from Akure North, Okitipupa and Odigbo, then Ilaje and Eseodo. We resume 5am for these local governments.”

According to results from 13 of the 18 local government areas announced so far by INEC, Aiyedatiwa has polled 259,851 votes ahead of his closest rival and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Agboola Ajayi, who scored 81,031 votes.

Ondo election: Again, INEC shifts collation of results to noon