A civil society organization, Social Crusade for a Sane Society, has raised serious accusations against the All Progressives Congress (APC), claiming the party leveraged widespread economic distress to influence the outcome of last Saturday’s governorship election in Ondo State.
This follows the announcement by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday declaring Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa as the victor.
Governor Aiyedatiwa, representing the APC, secured 366,781 votes, defeating his main opponent, Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who received 117,845 votes.
However, the credibility of the election has been called into question amidst allegations of rampant vote-buying by participating parties.
In a statement released on Monday, Icon-James Tam, convener of the Social Crusade for a Sane Society, accused the ruling party of exploiting the economic difficulties faced by voters, reportedly offering ₦10,000 per vote.
Tam highlighted that these tactics disproportionately affected opposition parties, which were unable to match the APC’s financial power due to limited resources.
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“Desperation among the electorate, driven by the soaring prices of essential goods, created fertile ground for such exploitation,” Tam stated.
He emphasized that the election tactics had disadvantaged the PDP and other smaller parties, skewing the democratic process.
The civil society leader called on Governor Aiyedatiwa to focus on addressing pressing issues within the state. “The educational sector is crumbling. The health sector is similarly in shambles and demands urgent attention,” Tam urged.
He called for robust reforms, stressing that the state’s significant resources should be channeled toward tangible improvements in governance.
“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,” Tam added, urging the newly re-elected governor to prioritize the well-being of the people.
These remarks underscore the need for proactive measures to tackle systemic challenges in Ondo State, with calls for greater transparency and fairness in future elections.