KEY POINTS
- Lucky Aiyedatiwa of APC wins Ondo governorship, defeating PDP’s Ajayi Agboola by over 200,000 votes.
- Aiyedatiwa sweeps all 18 local governments, solidifying his leadership after succeeding late Governor Akeredolu.
- Election observers raise concerns over widespread vote buying despite peaceful voting conditions across polling units.
Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been declared the winner of the Ondo State governorship election, securing a landslide victory that consolidates his position as governor of the oil-rich state.
The Returning Officer, Olayemi Akinwumi, Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University, Lokoja, announced the results on Sunday at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) collation center in Akure. Aiyedatiwa garnered 366,781 votes, decisively defeating his closest rival, Ajayi Agboola of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who polled 117,845 votes.
“That Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa of the APC, having satisfied the requirements of the law, is hereby declared the winner and is returned elected,” Akinwumi declared at 2:30 p.m.
Commanding victory
According to ChannelsTV, the APC swept all 18 local government areas of the state, cementing its dominance in the region. The collation of results, which began early Sunday, confirmed Aiyedatiwa’s commanding lead of over 200,000 votes.
The election marks a significant milestone for Aiyedatiwa, who ascended to office in December 2023 following the passing of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu. Initially serving as deputy governor, Aiyedatiwa took over the leadership during a period of political uncertainty and subsequently secured the APC ticket to contest the 2024 election.
Campaign promises and electoral success
Aiyedatiwa’s campaign centered on promises of economic reforms and improved welfare for workers. Highlighting his administration’s implementation of a ₦73,000 minimum wage—higher than the federal benchmark of ₦70,000—he appealed to voters by showcasing his commitment to their welfare.
“We traversed all 18 local governments, engaging with communities across the state. I’m confident this victory reflects the good work we’ve done over the past 10 months,” Aiyedatiwa remarked after casting his vote.
Electoral process and allegations
Election day was largely peaceful, with voting commencing promptly and minimal reports of violence. However, allegations of malpractice surfaced, with PDP candidate Agboola accusing INEC of bias and inefficiency.
“The system is compromised. “I’ve received numerous complaints about vote buying and malfunctioning BVAS machines,” Agboola alleged. “INEC must address these issues urgently to maintain public confidence.”
Observers also raised concerns about vote trading, noting it occurred openly in several polling units despite the presence of security personnel.
“The persistent trend of vote trading undermines the integrity of Nigeria’s elections,” the Situation Room, a coalition of civil society groups, stated in its post-election report.
The future
Aiyedatiwa’s victory signals continuity in governance for Ondo State. As he prepares to begin a full term, expectations are high for him to deliver on his promises of economic growth and social reforms.
While his landslide win reflects strong voter confidence, the allegations of electoral misconduct underscore the need for broader reforms to ensure transparency and fairness in future elections.
