The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the Ondo State governorship election, securing victory in all 18 local government areas.
Aiyedatiwa received 366,781 votes, defeating his closest rival, Agboola Ajayi of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), who garnered 117,845 votes. Aiyedatiwa’s victory is seen as a testament to the trust the people of Ondo State have in APC’s governance and leadership, with President Bola Tinubu and former President Muhammadu Buhari offering congratulations.
Aiyedatiwa, who will serve a four-year term starting February 2025, thanked the electorate and pledged an inclusive government. He also extended an olive branch to opposition parties, calling for collaboration to advance the state’s progress. Meanwhile, PDP’s Ajayi criticized the election process, alleging that the INEC and security agencies had compromised the results, particularly citing issues with the BVAS system.
The election was marked by notable contributions from key APC figures, including Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, whose leadership in the campaign was credited with turning the tide for the party. However, civil society organizations condemned the occurrence of vote-buying, even in the presence of security forces, calling for stronger actions against electoral malpractice
