LP candidate blames Obi, NLC for defeat in Ondo poll

Ayodele Olorunfemi, the Labour Party (LP) candidate in the recently concluded Ondo governorship election, has attributed his poor performance to actions by the party’s leadership, including Peter Obi, and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC) the winner with 366,781 votes, defeating Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who garnered 117,845 votes.

Olorunfemi finished far behind, securing just 1,162 votes, ranking fifth from the bottom in a field of 17 candidates.

Olorunfemi’s candidacy was marred by legal battles. Initially, Olusola Ebiseni was recognized as the LP candidate following a Federal High Court judgment on September 27.

However, the Court of Appeal overturned the ruling, reinstating Olorunfemi as the rightful candidate. The last-minute substitution left the party in disarray, affecting campaign efforts.

Criticizing Obi, the LP’s 2023 presidential candidate, and the NLC, Olorunfemi claimed their lack of support contributed significantly to his loss. He also noted that the legal tussle over the candidacy weakened his campaign and voter confidence.

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“The commission was yesterday 14th November 2024 served with the certified true copy (CTC) of the judgment of the court of appeal which set aside the judgment of the federal high court (FHC), Abuja division,” the statement reads.

“In obedience to the court order, the commission has restored Olorunfemi Ayodele Festus, whose name was first published as the Labour Party candidate for the 2024 Ondo state governorship election, and uploaded the same to our website for public information.”

In the buildup to the election, Obi endorsed Ebiseni and described him as “someone who believes in a Nigeria rooted in fairness, equity, and justice”.

“It is this conviction that propelled me to travel by road to Ondo state yesterday to campaign alongside our Labour Party Governorship Candidate, Hon. Sola Ebiseni — a candidate I believe possesses the competence and capacity to govern the State effectively,” Obi said.

Speaking with PUNCH, Olorunfemi alleged that Obi and NLC sabotaged his governorship bid.

He admitted that his last-minute campaign was poorly organised and ineffectual.

“My campaign for the election was neither here nor there. I have Peter Obi and the NLC to thank for that. They have scuttled my aspirations and chances to win this Ondo election,” Olorunfemi said.

“These people spoilt things for us with that PDP reject they wanted to force on the party. Their insistence on having Ebiseni on the ballot ruined everything for me.

“They just capitalised on the crisis between the Labour Party and the Nigeria Labour Congress to create problems.

“Can you imagine that Ebiseni wrote a letter to the court in my name without my knowledge, saying I have withdrawn from the race? They cannot exclude me from such a position.”

Olorunfemi admitted that he knew his chances of winning were slim after his reinstatement, adding that he is determined to “get his pound of flesh”.

LP candidate blames Obi, NLC for defeat in Ondo poll