The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the outcome of the November 16, 2024, governorship election in Ondo State.
The main opposition party has finally decided to challenge the victory of Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in court.
In a statement issued in Akure, Ayo Fadaka, special adviser to the PDP governorship candidate, Agboola Ajayi, disclosed that the party had conducted an investigation into the election and uncovered several actions aimed at compromising the electoral process.
The PDP alleged that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the APC engaged in criminal activities to hijack the election, resulting in voters’ apathy and disenchantment with the electoral process.
The party recalled its demand for the removal of Resident Electoral Commissioner Toyin Babalola due to her closeness to the APC and its candidate. The investigation’s findings, according to the PDP, affirm that their fears were not misplaced.
The PDP has called on the Judiciary to ensure justice is served, stressing that honesty must propel institutions and government to prevent dire consequences. The party expressed hope that the court would reverse the election’s outcome, describing it as a “debauchery”.
The statement said, “Nigeria is currently described as a failed state, it is our prayer that it is revived, rebirthed and resounding again as a nation that will not only hold promises of a better day for its people but shall deliver on same.
“Thus honesty must propel institutions and government, else revolt will one day dictate unwholesome developments that will portent dire consequences.
“In summary, we reject the results of the Nov 16th election and will take legal actions to reverse the debauchery. That is the option available to us, and we are hopeful that man and God, who is the ultimate, will give us justice.
“It is time we begin to eschew criminality from our electoral process.”
This development follows a similar rejection of the 2024 Edo governorship election result by the PDP, citing failure to meet minimum democratic standards.
