The Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its governorship candidate, Otunba Bamidele Akingboye, have rejected the results of the recently concluded Ondo State gubernatorial election, alleging widespread irregularities.
Speaking at a press conference in Akure on Monday, Gbenga Akinbuli, the SDP Chairman in Ondo, demanded the immediate cancellation of the election due to reported thuggery, vote buying, and voter intimidation.
Akinbuli described the election as a “slap on democracy,” claiming that political thugs harassed voters, particularly at Ward 10 Unit 19 in Ondo West Local Government, where voters were allegedly offered between N7,000 and N10,000 to sway their votes. “How come the SDP got zero votes in Ilaje?” he questioned, noting that thugs drove voters and party agents away, creating an atmosphere of fear. “Security personnel at the polling units did nothing to stop it. Our agents were chased out, making the process a farce marred by gross malpractices and electoral intimidation,” Akinbuli added.
The party intends to challenge the outcome in court. “It was a show of shame. It turned into a buyers-and-sellers day in Ondo,” he said, underscoring SDP’s resolve to pursue legal redress.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC) the election winner, with 366,781 votes, defeating Ajayi Agboola of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who garnered 117,845 votes.
