PDP Candidate Agboola Ajayi Takes Legal Action To Challenge Ondo Governorship Result

PDP Candidate Agboola Ajayi Takes Legal Action To Challenge Ondo Governorship Result

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the Ondo State governorship election on November 16, Agboola Ajayi, has initiated legal…READ MORE…

proceedings to challenge the outcome that favored Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa. On Monday, Ajayi announced that his legal team has filed a petition with the Ondo State Election Petition Tribunal, aiming to overturn the election results.

This action follows the declaration made by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) 24 days ago, which announced Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner with 366,781 votes, while Ajayi, his nearest competitor, received 117,845 votes.

Speaking at the PDP Secretariat in Akure, the state capital, Ajayi did not provide specific reasons for his petition but expressed his dissatisfaction with the electoral process. He described the election outcome as a “miscarriage and murder of democracy” and criticized INEC for allegedly failing to ensure a fair election.

Ajayi stated, “First and foremost, we thank Almighty God for the peaceful conduct of the election in Ondo State. Since the election, our party has held back from making public statements to allow time for thorough analysis of the events that took place on election day. After careful evaluation, we extend our gratitude to the people of Ondo State for their trust in us and commend their maturity during the elections, even in the face of provocation.

“We aim to clarify misconceptions and allegations regarding the electorate. There were claims that our supporters sold their votes or were compromised. Let it be clear that the will of the people was not for sale. The disappointment expressed after the election illustrates their discontent with the results, which we believe constituted a miscarriage of democracy facilitated by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

“Despite our prior warnings and legal requests for neutrality from INEC, the commission unfortunately failed to act impartially. The election results do not reflect the true wishes of the people of Ondo State. The announcement of Governor Aiyedatiwa as the victor by INEC was met with widespread dissatisfaction, as evidenced by the somber atmosphere that followed.”

Ajayi emphasized that his party has taken appropriate legal steps by filing a petition at the electoral tribunal. While he refrained from elaborating on the case specifics, he assured that they are committed to seeking justice. “Our people are educated, resilient, and determined to protect democracy,” he affirmed.

The PDP candidate also called for electoral reforms, urging the National Assembly to enhance the Electoral Act to prevent the manipulation of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), which he claimed is susceptible to exploitation, thereby undermining election integrity.

Despite some reservations about the judiciary’s impartiality, Ajayi voiced confidence in the tribunal’s capacity to deliver justice. “We believe that the tribunal will adjudicate our case fairly. The judiciary is crucial in sustaining democracy, and we encourage it to rise to this occasion.

“Ondo State deserves leaders chosen freely and fairly by its citizens. We are dedicated to restoring the integrity of our democracy and ensuring the people’s mandate is honored,” he concluded.

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