The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has formally rejected the results of the Ondo State governorship election held on November 16, 2024, and has resolved to challenge the victory of Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in court.
In a statement released in Akure, Ayo Fadaka, the special adviser to the PDP governorship candidate, Agboola Ajayi, revealed that the party had conducted a thorough investigation into the election. The findings of this inquiry indicated that several actions were taken to undermine the integrity of the electoral process.
The PDP has accused both the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the APC of engaging in illegal activities to manipulate the outcome of the election. According to the party, these actions contributed to widespread voter apathy and a general sense of disillusionment with the election process. The PDP also recalled its earlier call for the removal of Resident Electoral Commissioner Toyin Babalola, alleging that her ties to the APC and its candidate raised serious concerns about the fairness of the election. The party’s investigation, it claimed, validated these concerns, reinforcing the belief that the election was marred by irregularities.
The opposition party has now called on the judiciary to ensure that justice is done, emphasizing that transparency and fairness must guide the actions of both government institutions and electoral bodies to prevent the erosion of public trust. The PDP expressed optimism that the court would overturn the election results, describing the conduct of the election as a “debauchery” and an affront to democratic principles.
The statement issued by the party read, “Nigeria is currently labeled as a failed state. It is our prayer that it can be revived and reborn into a nation that not only promises a better future for its people but also delivers on those promises.” It further stressed the importance of honesty and integrity in the electoral process, warning that without these principles, the country could face severe consequences. “Honesty must drive the actions of our institutions and government, or else revolt will one day emerge, dictating the course of developments and leading to harmful outcomes.”
In concluding, the PDP reiterated its firm rejection of the election’s outcome, stating, “We reject the results of the November 16th election and will pursue legal avenues to challenge this gross injustice. This is the only option left to us, and we are hopeful that both human effort and divine intervention will secure justice for the people of Ondo State.”
This latest development mirrors the PDP’s earlier stance on the 2024 Edo State governorship election, where the party similarly expressed dissatisfaction with the result, citing significant flaws in the democratic process.
