The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the result of the just-concluded governorship election in Ondo State.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday, declared Lucky Aiyedatiwa, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), winner of the governorship election held on Saturday.
The incumbent governor, Aiyedatiwa, won the election in all 18 local government areas (LGAs) with 366,781 votes to defeat his closest rival, Agboola Ajayi of the PDP, who secured 117,845 votes.
Reacting on the outcome of the election, PDP spokesperson, Debo Ologunagba, in a statement issued on Sunday, said the poll “runs short of all expectations and requirements of a free, fair and credible election.
“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).”
Ologunagba said the election “witnessed the height of electoral swindle, deceit and manipulation” allegedly perpetrated by the APC.
He said the poll “witnessed widespread election merchandising, monetization and barefaced vote buying” and voter suppression.
Ologunagba said Nigerians and the international community should take “serious action” to stem all forms of election manipulation and preserve the nation’s democracy.
The PDP spokesman said the party will “take appropriate action” after reviewing the election outcome.