Tinubu Congratulates Aiyedatiwa, Urges Dissatisfied Candidates to Seek Legal Redress
President Bola Tinubu has advised candidates dissatisfied with the outcome of the just-concluded Ondo State governorship election to pursue their grievances through the courts.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, following the declaration of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the election winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
APC’s Victory and Electoral Success
Governor Aiyedatiwa triumphed with 366,781 votes, defeating his closest rival, Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who garnered 117,845 votes. The APC dominated the polls, securing victories in all 18 local government areas of the state, including Ifedore, Akure South, Okitipupa, Ose, and Ilaje.
Professor Olayemi Durotimi Akinwunmi, the State Returning Officer and Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Lokoja, announced the results at 2:30 pm on Sunday.
Tinubu Commends Conduct of Election
President Tinubu congratulated Governor Aiyedatiwa on his re-election and lauded INEC, the police, and other security agencies for their effective conduct during the polls.
In his statement, the President noted:
“The Ondo State election was another litmus test of INEC’s capacity. The electoral body justified public confidence through early preparations, efficient deployment of staff and materials, and a commendable electoral process.”
Tinubu also applauded INEC for uploading over 98% of results on the same day of the election, describing the exercise as a reflection of civility in the state.
Call for Legal Channels Over Grievances
President Tinubu encouraged aggrieved parties to utilize the judicial system to resolve disputes, emphasizing that the courts remain the legitimate avenue for addressing electoral concerns.
Onanuga added:
“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.”
PDP’s Allegations of Irregularities
The PDP’s agent for Idanre Local Government Area raised objections during the collation process, alleging vote buying, ballot box snatching, and irregularities, including reports of no voting in some areas. The agent formally requested the cancellation of results from the affected areas.
Despite these allegations, the APC maintained a clean sweep, solidifying Aiyedatiwa’s re-election and marking another milestone in Nigeria’s evolving electoral process.
As the dust settles, all eyes are now on the judiciary to handle any disputes and ensure justice for all stakeholders