Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the November 16 governorship election in Ondo State, Agboola Ajayi, has rejected the result of the exercise and vowed to challenge it in court. 

Incumbent Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress was declared the winner of the poll with 366,781 votes, while Mr Ajayi polled 117,845 votes.

Recall that the candidate of the Social Democratic, Bamidele Akingboye, also rejected the poll results.  

Mr Akingboye scored 438 votes in the contest and also vowed to seek redress in court. 

Mr Ajayi, in a statement by the spokesperson for his campaign, Ayo Fadaka, said his legal action against the result of the election was the only option available to the opposition party to reverse the “debauchery.” 

He said, “In summary, we reject the results of the November 16 election and will take legal actions to reverse the debauchery. That is the option available to us and we are hopeful that man and God who is the ultimate will give us justice. It is time we begin to eschew criminality from our electoral process.’’

The PDP candidate added that his investigation into the contents of “criminality prosecuted” by both the APC and the INEC uncovered several actions undertaken to compromise the electoral desires of the people.

He also noted that elections conducted by INEC since the APC assumed power in 2015 had been in the tradition of hijacking the process and delivering results that were in contrast with the people’s desires.

Mr Ajayi said, “We have uncovered lots of actions undertaken to compromise the electoral desires of the people and sadly conclude that democracy cannot thrive in an environment where unabated criminality is perpetually perpetrated in the prosecution of an election by the agency (INEC) saddled with the onerous and sacred responsibility to protect our franchise and deliver its mandate at the end of every election. November 16 election, like every other election conducted by INEC since APC assumed power in 2015 continues in the tradition of hijacking the process and delivering results that are diametrically in contrast with expressed electoral desires, thus resulting in promoting voter apathy and total disenchantment with the electoral process.’’ 

He stated that they earlier consistently demanded the removal of the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Toyin Babalola on account of her alleged closeness and association with the APC and its candidate in the election, Lucky Aiyedatiwa. 

He added, “Emerging results of our investigation continue to affirm that our fears were not misplaced as criminal actions prosecuted in that election are being unearthed. It is a shame that people bereft of honour and required pedigree now manage sensitive institutions saddled with sacred responsibilities. While not divulging the nature and extent of the results of our investigations for now, our only prayer is that those who possess the privileges to determine the fate of people and nation should begin to live up to expectations and fear God, in the interest of our nation, it’s wellness, peace and tranquillity, else they are reduced the to same level of criminals and bandits who continuously lay landmines that undermine the progress of our nation.” 

Mr Ajayi, however, called on call on the judiciary to brace up by performing its sacred and onerous responsibilities to guarantee justice to people and institutions that seek it.

“Nigeria is currently described as a failed state, it is our prayer that it is revived, rebirthed and resounding again as a nation that will not only hold promises of a better day for its people but shall deliver on same. Thus honesty must propel institutions and government, else revolt will one day dictate unwholesome developments that will portent dire consequences,” he noted.