Mr. Agboola Ajayi, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the November 16 off cycle governorship election in Ondo State, has taken decisive action.
He has filed a petition with the Ondo State Election Petition Tribunal, challenging the victory of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress.
Recall that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Aiyedatiwa the winner of the poll with 366,781 votes while Ajayi scored only 117,845 votes.
While speaking with newsmen at the Ondo State secretariat of PDP, Ajayi confirmed the filing of the petition. He noted that his legal team had formally sought justice from the tribunal regarding the election results.
Though, despite his willingness to discuss the petition, he refused to disclose specific grounds for the legal challenge.
Ajayi expressed profound dissatisfaction with the election outcome, labeling it a “miscarriage of democracy.”
He also alleged widespread vote-buying and intimidation that marred the electoral process. Furthermore, he asserted that the results did not reflect the true wishes of the electorate in Ondo State.
In addition to his grievances, Ajayi called for action from the National Assembly to amend the Electoral Act.
He specifically cited concerns regarding the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BIVAS), claiming it has been manipulated to influence outcomes.
Ajayi expressed optimism that the tribunal will adjudicate the case fairly, adding that Ondo State deserves leaders chosen through a free and fair electoral process.
Moreover, this is coming after a Federal High Court in Akure dismissed Ajayi’s earlier suit.
This suit challenged the qualifications of Aiyedatiwa and his deputy, but the court cited procedural errors and lack of standing as reasons for the dismissal.
Ajayi’s next steps will be critical in shaping the ongoing political landscape in Ondo State.
His petition marks a renewed phase in the election dispute. Many political analysts believe this move reflects broader tensions within the state’s political environment.
However, it highlights the ongoing struggle for fairness and integrity in Nigeria’s electoral processes.