The All Progressives Congress (APC) has maintained a commanding lead in the Ondo State governorship election, winning in 13 out of the 18 Local Government Areas (LGAs) declared so far by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the APC candidate, secured 259,851 votes, while his closest rival, Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), garnered 81,031 votes. Results for the remaining five LGAs are expected early Sunday morning, according to INEC.
Vote-Buying and PDP’s Allegations
While the election was largely peaceful, it was marred by allegations of vote-buying. Security operatives arrested a suspect in Akure with two bags of cash allegedly meant to induce voters. The Police Service Commission (PSC) acknowledged instances of vote-buying but commended the overall security arrangement.
PDP candidate Agboola Ajayi accused INEC of bias and inefficiency, citing issues with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and alleging that the election process was compromised. Ajayi also called for the resignation of INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, and the Ondo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Oluwatoyin Babalola.
APC’s Strong Performance Across LGAs
APC recorded significant victories in key LGAs, including:
- Akoko South West: APC – 29,700; PDP – 5,517
- Akure South: APC – 32,969; PDP – 17,926
- Owo: APC – 31,914; PDP – 4,740
In other LGAs like Idanre and Ifedore, the APC maintained narrow but decisive leads, showcasing its widespread support in the state.
Observers and Reactions
Civil society groups such as Yiaga Africa described the election as largely peaceful and commended INEC’s logistical efforts despite minor challenges. The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and Senator Jimoh Ibrahim of Ondo South praised the professionalism of security agencies and the high voter turnout.
Both APC and PDP will await the final results, as INEC concludes collation from the remaining LGAs. While the APC edges closer to victory, the allegations raised by the PDP and reports of vote-buying cast a shadow on the election’s integrity.
