A civic group, Social Crusade for a Sane Society, has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of taking advantage of the current economic hardship in Nigeria to influence the results of the just concluded Ondo State governorship election.
The State Returning Officer, Prof. Olayemi Durotimi Akinwunmi of the Federal University Lokoja, announced Lucky 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.
Reacting to the result in a press statement on Monday, Icon-James Tam, Convener of Social Crusade for a Sane Society, described the election as not fair.
The statement noted that Ondo voters were too hungry to decline the vote-buying offers made to them by APC agents who allegedly worked for Governor Aiyedatiwa.
The statement said: “The backdrop to this election was one of severe economic hardship. The soaring prices of basic commodities have left many Ondo residents struggling to make ends meet.
“In such dire circumstances, the APC capitalized on the prevailing economic desperation, offering ten thousand naira (₦10,000) per vote—a sum that many, burdened by hunger and need, could not afford to turn down. The opposition parties, lacking the financial muscle to counter this, found themselves at a significant disadvantage.
“The extent of vote-buying witnessed during this election is unprecedented in Ondo State’s history. Reports emerged of individuals possessing multiple voter cards and voting in different units, thus collecting up to ₦20,000 for their participation in this electoral charade.
“Apart from isolated incidents of violence, notably in areas like Idanre, the widespread and systematic vote-buying by the APC was a calculated move to sway the election, exploiting the impoverished state of the populace—a consequence of the party’s own misguided policies.
“In conclusion, Governor Aiyedatiwa, now that you have been re-elected, the onus is on you to address the deep-seated issues facing Ondo State.
“The educational sector is crumbling; despite your claims during the gubernatorial debate of employing 2,000 teachers, no tangible evidence supports this assertion.
“Now is the time to make that promise a reality. The health sector is similarly in shambles and demands urgent attention.”
“With the state’s resources at your disposal, you must demonstrate true leadership, deliver good governance, and lift Ondo State out of its current state of national embarrassment,” the statement added.
Saharareporters
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