In the immediate aftermath of the just-concluded Ondo State governorship election, President Bola Tinubu has asked political parties and candidates unhappy with the outcome of the election, to seek redress in court.
The President spoke in a statement issued on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the incumbent governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was declared as the winner of the election on Sunday.
In the statement, Onanuga said, “The President urges candidates dissatisfied with the outcome of the election to explore the opportunities provided by the judicial system to seek redress on areas of conflict.”
He stated that Tinubu who congratulated Governor Aiyedatiwa on his victory, expressed his joy with the outcome of the election and applauded INEC, the police and other security agencies for their roles during the poll.
The presidential spokesman further stated that President Tinubu said, “Aiyedatiwa and other candidates of the 17 political parties for the maturity and sense of purpose demonstrated during the campaigns and the election, attributing the success of the polls to the civility in the state.”
The statement added, “President Tinubu believes the Ondo State election was another litmus test of the capacity of the Independent National Electoral Commission, affirming that the electoral body justified the confidence of the people with early preparations, deployment of staff and materials, and handling of the electoral process.
“The President also commends INEC for the efficiency of uploading more than 98 per cent of results on the same day of the elections.”
The State Returning Officer, Professor Olayemi Durotimi Akinwunmi of the Federal University Lokoja, announced Aiyedatiwa as the winner of the election at about 2:30 pm on Sunday.
Aiyedatiwa secured 366,781 votes to defeat his closest rival, Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Ajayi polled 117,845 votes to come second.
The APC made a clean sweep in the election, winning all 18 local government areas.
The 18 LGAs are Ifedore, Ondo East, Ileoluji Oke-Igbo, Idanre, Irele, Akoko South West, Owo, Ondo West, Akoko South East, Akoko North West, Ose, Akoko North East, Akure South, Akure North, Okitipupa, Odigbo, Ilaje and Ese Odo.
The PDP’s agent for Idanre Local Government Area earlier raised serious concerns, alleging widespread irregularities, including vote buying and ballot box snatching.
Furthermore, the agent claimed that voting didn’t take place in some parts of Idanre. Citing these grievances, the agent formally requested that the results from Idanre be nullified.
