President Bola Tinubu has told the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and 16 other parties that are not satisfied with the outcome of Saturday’s Ondo gubernatorial election won by Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to go to court......See Full Story>>.....See Full Story>>
Tinubu, in a statement conveyed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Sunday, while congratulating Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, asked the parties to explore the opportunities provided by the judicial system to seek redress on areas of conflict.
He commended all stakeholders for the peaceful conduct of the process.
The president also praised Aiyedatiwa and other candidates of the 17 political parties for their maturity and sense of purpose demonstrated during the campaigns and the election.
According to Tinubu, the success of the polls is attributed to the civility in the state.
He enjoined the political actors to allow their orderly conduct to permeate the post-election activities and processes.
The statement reads, “The president 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 commends INEC for the efficiency of uploading more than 98 percent of results on the same day of the elections.
“He extends his appreciation to the Nigeria Police Force, National Civil Defence Corps, Federal Road Safety Corps, National Youth Service Corps, the military and other security outfits for their professionalism in maintaining peace and order”.
CUPP Faults Process, Says Election Not Credible
Meanwhile, the Coalition of United Political parties (CUPP) has faulted the process of the governorship election conducted in Ondo State on Saturday, saying that the fundamental elements of a free, fair, democratic, and credible election were glaringly missing.
The group in a statement on Sunday signed by its spokesman, Comrade Mark Adebayo, noted that the widespread vote buying, especially by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), and the bias demonstrated by the security agencies that are supposed to curb such a menace was an eyesore.
The statement reads, “It’s evident that the APC at both the national and subnationals has performed woefully on all indices of development and cannot win any fairly contested election. But the current administration of President Bola Tinubu has conceptualized a dangerous agenda of state capture via a tendency towards turning Nigeria into a one-party state prior to the 2027 general elections. Therefore, the party has set in motion the machinery to turn Nigeria into a one-party state.
“It’s clear to all Nigerians that the APC is the party that has elevated poverty, hunger and economic collapse into active state policy which has destroyed many businesses and crippled the capacity of Nigerians to live a good life. Insecurity has never been as bad as it now obtains nationwide, inflation is at all-time high of 34.7% and still rising, youth unemployment and the phenomenon of out-of-school children have attained epidemic proportions under a government that has proven not only grossly incompetent but also egregiously wicked and unconcerned about the plights of regular Nigerians and swims in the slimy ocean of corruption and criminal extravagance, just to mention a few of its horrible records.
“Under these circumstances, a party like the APC cannot win a free and fair election. But here we are, as it was done in Edo State, so it was orchestrated in Ondo State to force a fait accompli on the people by state force.
“This is not democracy, but a deliberate policy of state capture by antidemocratic forces who are determined to undermine and ultimately destroy our democracy as they did in the first and second Republics.
“As opposition, we remain vigilant and determined to ensure that we don’t allow antidemocratic forces bring down our country by scuttling our democratic development as a sovereign nation. All hands shall be on deck to rescue Nigeria and Nigerians from the shackles of oppression, repression and the corrosive influence of obnoxious politicking.”
Worst Election Conducted By INEC — PDP
Similarly, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the just concluded Ondo State governorship election, where the APC candidate, Lucky Ayedatiwa, emerged as the winner, as the worst election conducted by INEC.
The party, which said it’s reviewing the outcome of the poll, added that the election is not only a sham, but 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 APC.
PDP, in a statement by its spokesman, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, said, “This election witnessed widespread election merchandising, monetisation and barefaced vote buying by the APC and its apparatus in government to suppress the genuine aspiration of the people.”
The party added that “this devious practice by the APC was rampant and pervasive because the APC has 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.
“In the meantime, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP will be having a more detailed review of the election and its outcome and take appropriate action in the defence of our democracy.”
APC Will Remain In Power For A Very Long Time — Ganduje
However, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has described Governor Lucky Ayedatiwa’s victory in the just concluded Ondo State governorship election as triumph for democracy and people of the state.
Congratulating Ayedatiwa on his resounding victory in the gubernatorial election, Ganduje, who noted the recent victory of the party in Edo and Ondo states, said it is not a fluke but an attestation that Nigerians have embraced the APC as their party, assuring that the party will remain in power for a very long time.
Ganduje, in a statement by his Chief Press Secreratary, Edwin Olofu, said the remarkable success is a testament to the trust and confidence the people of Ondo State have in his vision, leadership, and unwavering commitment to their well-being.
The National Chairman said Governor Ayedatiwa’s victory is not just a win for the APC but a triumph for democracy and the enduring will of the people.
The two term governor of Kano State added that the election was a clear reflection of the collective aspirations of the good people of Ondo State, who have chosen continuity, progress, and development over retrogression.
Ganduje commended the INEC for conducting a transparent, credible, and peaceful election, which further consolidates Nigeria’s democratic gains.
Aiyedatiwa Waves Olive Branch, Dedicates Victory To Akeredolu
Recall that INEC declared Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the governorship election in Ondo State.
He was declared winner by Prof. Olayemi Akinwunmi, Vice Chancellor, Federal University, Lokoja, Kogi State, having polled 366781 votes, while Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) polled 117,845 votes.
In his acceptance speech, Governor Aiyedatiwa waved an olive branch as he invited all other contestants in the election to join him in moving the state forward.
He promised to run an all inclusive government, calling on politicians across political parties to put their differences aside and work with him.
The governor dedicated his victory at the poll to his late boss, the immediate past governor of the state, the late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.
Reading his acceptance speech, Aiyedatiwa said: “My fellow citizens of Ondo State, I stand before you this day, on the threshold of history, to accept the results of the 2024 gubernatorial elections held in our Sunshine State.
“I must say that I feel greatly humbled and honoured by this renewed mandate you have given me to continue in office as your governor. I am overwhelmed with gratitude and I pledge to work tirelessly to justify the trust you have reposed in me.
“Let me commend the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for conducting a free, fair, and credible election. The security agencies across board are also deserving of our gratitude for being very professional in their assignment and maintaining peace throughout the exercise.
“As your governor, I promise to continue to run an inclusive and participatory government, where every citizen has a voice and an opportunity to contribute to our collective progress.
“We will continue to prioritise the welfare of our people, foster economic growth, and ensure that our state remains a beacon of hope and prosperity for generations to come.
“Now that the elections are over, it is time to rededicate ourselves to the service of our dear state.
“I therefore want to extend a hand of fellowship to the opposition parties and to invite you to collaborate with us in the onerous task of building a better Ondo State for the overall good of our people.
“Let us put aside our differences and work together to create a brighter future for ourselves, our children, and our communities.
“Finally, I dedicate this victory, first to the Almighty God and second, to the memories of our departed leader and former governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN, CON.”
Governor Aiyedatiwa, therefore, appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, leadership of APC, the national chairman of the party, Alhaji Abdulahi Umar Ganduje, the National Campaign Council of Ondo Governorship Election led by the governor, Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, among others, for their unwavering support.
Governors Sanwo-Olu, Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, Dapo Abiodun (Ogun State), among others, were still in the state when the INEC declared Aiyedatiwa winner of the election.