SDP, Candidate Reject Ondo Gubernatorial Election Outcome, Allege Irregularities

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its governorship candidate, Otunba Bamidele Akingboye, have rejected the outcome of the recently concluded gubernatorial election in Ondo State.

The party alleged widespread irregularities, including thuggery and vote-buying, claiming the election was a “slap on democracy.”

Speaking at a press conference in Akure on Monday, SDP Chairman in Ondo State, Gbenga Akinbuli, called for the immediate cancellation of the election.

Akinbuli accused political thugs of intimidating and harassing voters at Ward 10, Unit 19 in Ondo West Local Government Area.

He also alleged that voters were offered between N7,000 and N10,000 to cast their ballots at the polling unit.

“How come the SDP got zero votes in Ilaje? The thugs chased everybody out of the polling unit. People were scared of coming out to cast their votes,” he said.

He further criticized the security agencies for failing to act against electoral malpractices, stating that SDP agents were chased out of polling units.

“We are saying the election was marred by gross malpractices, vote buying, and electoral intimidation.

We are going to court, asking for the cancellation of the election. It was a show of shame – buyers and sellers day in Ondo,” he added.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had on Sunday declared Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC) the winner of the election.

Aiyedatiwa secured 366,781 votes to defeat Ajayi Agboola of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who garnered 117,845 votes.