Just In: INEC Officially Confirms Ondo’s Next Governor-Elect Aiyedatiwa with Certificate of Return

Babatunji Wusu –

• Aiyedatiwa’s Victory: Lucky Aiyedatiwa of APC won with 366,781 votes, defeating Agboola Ajayi of PDP, who received 117,845 votes.
• APC’s Stronghold: Aiyedatiwa won in all 18 local government areas of Ondo, strengthening the APC’s control in the state.
• PDP’s Allegations: The PDP and Ajayi have rejected the results, alleging electoral malpractice and claiming the election was manipulated.
• Legal Challenge: Ajayi has vowed to take the matter to court, asserting that both the APC and INEC were involved in criminal activities to alter the election outcome.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially presented the certificates of return to Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the Governor-elect of Ondo State, and his deputy, Adelami Olayide, marking the formal conclusion of the electoral process. The certificates were handed over on Wednesday in Abuja by Prof. Kunle Ajayi, the Supervisory National Commissioner for Ondo State, just four days after Aiyedatiwa’s victory was declared in the governorship election held last Saturday.

Aiyedatiwa, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), emerged victorious with 366,781 votes, decisively defeating his closest rival, Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who garnered 117,845 votes. Aiyedatiwa secured victory in all 18 local government areas of Ondo State, further reinforcing the APC’s dominance in the region.

However, the results have been rejected by the PDP and its candidate, Agboola Ajayi, who allege significant irregularities in the electoral process. Ajayi, a former Deputy Governor, has accused both the APC and INEC of widespread electoral malpractice, claiming that the election was manipulated to favor Aiyedatiwa. In a statement issued by his Special Adviser, Ayo Fadaka, Ajayi claimed that his investigation into the election uncovered evidence of criminal activities perpetrated by both the APC and INEC, which he argues led to the wrongful outcome.