The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially announced the victory of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the candidate from the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the recent governorship election held in Ondo State. This declaration came after the polls took place on Saturday, marking a significant event in the state’s political landscape.
The announcement was made by the Returning Officer, Prof Olayemi Akinwunmi, at the INEC headquarters located in Alagbaka, Akure. Akinwunmi, who serves as the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Lokoja in Kogi State, confirmed Aiyedatiwa’s victory at precisely 2:29 PM, solidifying the APC’s position in the state.
In the election results, Aiyedatiwa garnered an impressive 366,781 votes. His closest competitor, Agboola Ajayi of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), received 117,845 votes, placing him a distant second. The African Democratic Party’s candidate, Adeyemi Nejo, trailed far behind in third place with just 4,138 votes.
Prof Akinwunmi stated, “That Aiyedatiwa Lucky Orimisan of the APC, having satisfied all the requirements of law and scored the majority of the lawful votes, is hereby declared the winner and is returned elected.” This declaration emphasized the legitimacy of Aiyedatiwa’s victory based on the electoral laws.
Daily Trust reported that Aiyedatiwa’s win was particularly remarkable as he managed to secure victory across all 18 councils in Ondo State. This landslide victory reflects the strong support he received from voters throughout the region.
Read also:APC leads with over 200k votes in Ondo election
Despite the overwhelming support for Aiyedatiwa, the election was characterized by issues such as vote-buying and a notably low voter turnout. These factors raised concerns about the electoral process and the integrity of the results, even though the election itself was largely peaceful.
Reports from correspondents indicated that the election atmosphere remained calm, with no significant incidents of violence or unrest. This peaceful conduct was a positive aspect of the electoral process, contrasting with some previous elections in the region.
Aiyedatiwa’s victory marks a continuation of the APC’s influence in Ondo State, following the tenure of the late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu. His leadership will now be closely watched as he addresses the challenges facing the state and works to fulfill the promises made during his campaign.
As the new governor, Aiyedatiwa will be expected to focus on governance issues and implement policies that resonate with the electorate’s needs. The expectations from his administration will be high, given the overwhelming mandate he received.
In conclusion, the recent governorship election in Ondo State has not only reaffirmed the APC’s dominance but also highlighted the complexities of the electoral process in Nigeria. As Aiyedatiwa takes office, the focus will shift to how effectively he can navigate the political landscape and address the concerns raised during the election.
