The Labour Party in Ogun State has warned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against issuing a certificate of return to Governor Dapo Abiodun for a second term. In a statement signed by Caretaker Committee chairman Lookman Jagun after an executive meeting, the party called for a rerun of the governorship election held on 18 March, rejecting Abiodun’s declared victory.
INEC returning officer Prof. Kayode Adebowale announced on Sunday that Abiodun of the All Progressives Congress (APC) won with 276,298 votes, while Ladi Adebutu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) received 262,383 votes. The African Democratic Congress also fielded a candidate. The Labour Party described the election as marred by disruptions, ballot‑box snatching, burning of ballot papers in opposition strongholds, and manipulation of the voting and collation process. It called the INEC declaration premature and contrary to electoral rules, insisting that the election should have been declared inconclusive and a rerun conducted in areas where voting was disrupted by APC thugs.
Labour governorship candidate Kehinde Sogunle, who had aligned with Adebutu before the election, noted that the APC candidate defeated the PDP candidate by fewer than 14,000 votes, while 33,000 votes were cancelled. He warned that awarding Abiodun a certificate of return amid such alleged fraud would amount to a “rape of democracy.” The party also accused the Ogun State government of sowing discord within Labour, obstructing the nomination and listing of Labour candidates for the election.
The APC, however, maintained that the governor won fairly. State Publicity Secretary Tunde Oladunjoye said the election was largely peaceful and reflected the will of Ogun’s voters. He criticized “desperate politicians” and their followers for violating electoral guidelines, and highlighted that the APC secured a majority of votes, won 12 of the 20 local government areas, and captured 17 of the 26 State House of Assembly seats.
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