The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the November 16 election in Ondo State, Agboola Ajayi, has filed a petition at the election tribunal to challenge the victory of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
Ajayi, in his first public statement since losing the election, described the poll as a miscarriage of democracy orchestrated by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
He said after carefully analyzing the outcome of the election, he and his party decided to challenge the results at the tribunal, as they believed the outcome did not reflect the will of the people.
“Since the election, our party has refrained from making public comments to allow time for a comprehensive review of the events that transpired on election day. After careful analysis, we have come to express our gratitude to the people of Ondo State for their confidence in us and the maturity they displayed during the elections, despite provocations,” Ajayi explained.
The former Deputy Governor also rejected accusations that voters in Ondo sold their votes or were compromised, stressing that the people’s will was not for sale.
According to him, the dissatisfaction with the election results was widespread, reflecting public discontent with what he termed a “miscarriage of democracy” orchestrated by INEC.
He said that despite previous warnings and legal actions to ensure INEC’s neutrality, the commission failed to act impartially, and the declared results did not reflect the aspirations of the people of Ondo State.
“The declaration of Aiyedatiwa as the winner by INEC was met with widespread dissatisfaction, as evident in the mood that followed. Our party has taken the lawful step of filing a petition at the electoral tribunal,” he said.
Ajayi urged the National Assembly to amend the Electoral Act to ensure a transparent and tamper-proof electoral process, proposing the adoption of electronic voting to curb electoral malpractices and enhance the credibility and reliability of Nigeria’s elections.
