By The Ondo State chapter of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has rejected the outcome of Saturday’s governorship election, describing it as a “show of shame.”
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the state governor and candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, as the winner, with 366,781 votes. However, the SDP has alleged widespread irregularities and called for the cancellation of the results.
Speaking on Monday in Akure, the SDP chairman, Mr. Gbenga Akinbuli, accused the ruling party of voter intimidation, harassment of SDP agents, and rampant vote buying. He claimed many voters were prevented from casting their ballots in various polling units.
“Our legal team is already working on the outcome of the election,” Akinbuli said. “We reject the results outright. How can over two million registered voters yield less than 600,000 votes? It’s a disgrace. Many voters told me they were scared for their lives.”
He further alleged that SDP agents were forced out of polling units despite arriving early, preventing the party from achieving its anticipated votes. “This election was not free or fair. It was a buyer-and-seller competition,” Akinbuli added.
The SDP’s governorship candidate, Mr. Bamidele Akingboye, who polled 438 votes, also condemned the election process, alleging widespread malpractice and intimidation by political thugs.
“For the past month, I urged the people of Ondo State to vote for change, but what I witnessed was shocking,” Akingboye said. “In my unit in Okitipupa, Ward 2, Unit 10, vote buying was done openly. I refused to participate in any unlawful acts because of my integrity.”
Akingboye described the election as being “pre-written” and demanded INEC declare him the winner. “There are videos online showing elderly people admitting they were paid to vote. This is unacceptable. I am the rightful winner, and INEC must acknowledge that,” he insisted.
The SDP has vowed to challenge the election results in court, reaffirming its commitment to justice and transparency in the electoral process.
