Ondo Guber: Go to court, Tinubu tells aggrieved losers

President Bola Tinubu has asked political parties and candidates who are unhappy with the outcome of the just concluded Ondo State governorship election to seek redress in court.

President Tinubu said this in a statement issued on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

Incumbent governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was declared as the winner of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Onanuga said, “The President urges candidates dissatisfied with the outcome of the election to explore the opportunities provided by the judicial system to seek redress on areas of conflict.”

Onanuga stated that Tinubu who congratulated Governor Aiyedatiwa on his victory, expressed his joy with the outcome of the election and applauded INEC, the police and other security agencies for their roles during the poll.

Onanuga further stated that President Tinubu said, “Aiyedatiwa and other candidates of the 17 political parties for the maturity and sense of purpose demonstrated during the campaigns and the election, attributing the success of the polls to the civility in the state.”

The statement added, “President Tinubu believes the Ondo State election was another litmus test of the capacity of the Independent National Electoral Commission, affirming that the electoral body justified the confidence of the people with early preparations, deployment of staff and materials, and handling of the electoral process.

“The President also commends INEC for the efficiency of uploading more than 98 per cent of results on the same day of the elections.”

The State Returning Officer, Professor Olayemi Durotimi Akinwunmi of the Federal University Lokoja, announced Aiyedatiwa as the winner of the election at about 2:30 pm on Sunday.

Aiyedatiwa secured 366,781 votes to defeat his closest rival, Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Ajayi polled 117,845 votes to come second.

The APC made a clean sweep in the election, winning all 18 local government areas.

The 18 LGAs are Ifedore, Ondo East, Ileoluji Oke-Igbo, Idanre, Irele, Akoko South West, Owo, Ondo West, Akoko South East, Akoko North West, Ose, Akoko North East, Akure South, Akure North, Okitipupa, Odigbo, Ilaje and Ese Odo.

The PDP’s agent for Idanre Local Government Area earlier raised serious concerns, alleging widespread irregularities, including vote buying and ballot box snatching.

Furthermore, the agent claimed that voting didn’t take place in some parts of Idanre.

Citing these grievances, the agent formally requested that the results from Idanre be nullified.

Who is Aiyedatiwa?

Lucky Aiyedatiwa was sworn-in as governor on December 27, 2023.

Born on January 12, 1965, in Obe-Nla, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, he’s a native of the region.

Before becoming Governor, Aiyedatiwa served as Deputy Governor under Rotimi Akeredolu from 2021 to 2023.

Aiyedatiwa’s educational background is impressive, with a Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) in Economics and Government from Lagos State College of Education.

He also holds an Advanced Diploma in Business Administration from the University of Ibadan and an MBA from the University of Liverpool.

His professional experience spans various sectors, including business, education, and politics.

Aiyedatiwa worked as an Inventory/Store Officer, Assistant Head Teacher, Marketing Officer, and General Merchandise Manager before establishing his own business, Blue Wall Group of Companies, in 1996.

In politics, Aiyedatiwa was a member of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and later joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2014.

He contested for the House of Representatives seat for Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency in 2015.

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