‘Be Calm’, Ondo’s PDP Tells Supporters After Alleged Vote Buying

‘Be Calm’, Ondo’s PDP Tells Supporters After Alleged Vote Buying

The Ondo State’s chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has urged its supporters to remain “calm and steadfast” after the candidate of the All Progressives Congress and incumbent governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa was announced winner of the 2024 gubernatorial elections held on Saturday.

The party had earlier alleged widespread vote buying by the APC which it said was rampant because the ruling party impoverished Nigerians.

The Returning Officer for the election Olayemi Akinwumi, who is also the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University, Lokoja, Kogi State declared Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC) the winner of the election on Sunday, extending the governor’s stay at the Government House in Alagbaka, Akure.

Aiyedatiwa, the incumbent governor of the Sunshine State polled 366,781 votes to defeat his closest rival and a former deputy governor of the state, Ajayi Agboola who flew the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flag. He scored 117,845 votes, more than twice lower than the APC candidate.

“That Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa of the APC having satisfied the requirement of the law is hereby declared the winner and is returned elected,” the returning officer said at exactly 2:30 pm at the INEC collation centre in Akure.

The declaration came hours after the collation of results for the election began in the early hours of Sunday. Although the collation centre went on breaks, the APC took a commanding lead with over 200,000 votes ahead of the PDP.

The final results showed that the APC won the election in a landslide, clearing all 18 local government areas.

However, shortly after the result announcement by INEC, PDP described the election as a ‘sham’, adding that it was the worst ever to be conducted by INEC.

“The Peoples Democratic Party and indeed all lovers of democracy in Nigeria and across the world have just witnessed the worst election conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“The November 16, 2024 Governorship election in Ondo State runs short of all expectations and requirements of a free, fair and credible election as it witnessed the height of electoral swindle, deceit and manipulation by the All Progressives Congress (APC),” the statement read in part.

PDP also alleged widespread of vote buying by the APC which it said was rampant because the ruling party impoverished Nigerians.

“This election witnessed widespread election merchandising, monetization and barefaced vote buying by the APC and its apparatus in government to suppress the genuine aspiration of the people.

“This devious practice by the APC was rampant and pervasive because the APC have utterly impoverished Nigerians and turned poverty into a weapon of mass subjugation which enabled it to manipulate the election and its outcome.

“We call the attention of all Nigerians and the International Community to this reprehensible practice by the APC as widely witnessed in the November 16, 2024 Governorship election in Ondo State and we demand that a serious action be taken to stem such if Nigeria’s democracy must survive.,” the party said in an earlier statement.

After INEC’s declaration, political bigwigs in the country have taken turns to congratulate Aiyedatiwa, Including former president Muhammadu Buhari, and President Bola Tinubu who also advised aggrieved parties to seek court’s redress.

However, in a new statement signed by PDP’s State Publicity Secretary, PDP, Ondo State, Kennedy Ikantu Peretei on Monday, the party urged “all our supporters to be calm and remain steadfast as the next line of action will be communicated to them in due course.”

The statement added, “The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ondo State Chapter extends our heartfelt gratitude to the good people of Ondo State for their unwavering support and commitment to our party during the recently conducted governorship election.

“Despite the challenges and obstacles that we faced, your resilience and dedication to the PDP’s ideals and vision for a better Ondo State were evident at the polls. Your voices were heard, and your choices were clear.

“We recognise that this election was not just about winning or losing but about the future of our great state and its people. We are proud to have had the opportunity to engage with you, listen to your concerns, and share our vision for a prosperous and inclusive Ondo State.

“As we move forward, we reaffirm our commitment to the people of Ondo State. We will continue to work tirelessly to address the challenges facing our state, promote economic growth, improve healthcare and education, and ensure that every citizen has access to opportunities and resources.

“On behalf of the Flag bearer, H. E Agboola Ajayi, his Deputy, Hon. Festus Akingbaso, the State Campaign Council,we thank you for standing by us. Your trust and support are invaluable, and we pledge to work diligently to justify your confidence in us.

“Our party wishes to appreciate the Chairman of the National Campaign Council, H.E Ademola Adeleke, Governor of Osun State and all members of the Council. Our appreciation also goes to Engr Seyi Makinde, Governor of Oyo State, and leader of the PDP in the South West, as well as Chairman of PDP Governors’ Forum and other PDP Governors. The Acting National Chairman of our party, Amb Damagun and Members of the National Working  Committee are all deeply appreciated.”