PDP condemns Ondo election as “sham,” accuses APC, INEC of manipulation

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has denounced the outcome of the Ondo State governorship election, which saw Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC) re-elected with a significant margin.

Describing the poll as a “sham,” the PDP accused both the ruling APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of engaging in manipulative practices that undermined the integrity of the election.

Governor Aiyedatiwa was declared the victor after winning in all 18 local government areas, amassing 366,781 votes.

His closest competitor, the PDP’s candidate Agboola Ajayi, secured 117,845 votes, as announced by the State Returning Officer, Prof. Olayemi Akinwumi.

In a statement released in Abuja, PDP National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba alleged that the APC employed widespread vote-buying and intimidation tactics. “The PDP and indeed all lovers of democracy in Nigeria and across the world have just witnessed the worst election conducted by INEC,” Ologunagba declared.

“The November 16 governorship election falls short of all expectations and requirements for a free, fair, and credible election as it witnessed the height of electoral swindle, deceit, and manipulation by the APC.”

Ologunagba highlighted rampant monetization and vote-buying as tools used by the APC to subvert voters’ genuine aspirations. He further accused the ruling party of exploiting economic hardship, using poverty as a “weapon of mass subjugation.”

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Calling for international attention, the PDP urged stakeholders to scrutinize these practices to protect Nigeria’s democratic principles.

“We call the attention of all Nigerians and the International Community to this reprehensible practice by the APC as widely witnessed in Ondo State and we demand serious action to stem such activities if Nigeria’s democracy is to survive,” Ologunagba stated. The party also noted that its National Working Committee (NWC) would review the election results and take necessary action in defense of democracy.

The APC responded to the allegations with dismissive rhetoric. APC National Publicity Director Bala Ibrahim described the PDP’s claims as baseless and indicative of a pattern where the party blames the APC for its electoral setbacks. “If there is an eclipse of the sun or moon in Nigeria, the PDP will blame it on the APC,” Ibrahim said.

He added that Nigerians have become disillusioned with the PDP due to its performance during its 16-year tenure, which he argued left a legacy of mismanagement.

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Ibrahim challenged the credibility of the PDP’s objections, particularly given the margin of victory. “How can you say an election the governor won by over 200,000 votes was skewed in APC’s favor?” he queried.

“If it were an election decided by 10 or 50 votes, we could consider a conversation. But not one with such a wide margin. The PDP better wake up and smell the coffee.”

The PDP’s rejection of the election results underscores enduring tensions between Nigeria’s major political parties over electoral integrity. As the debate continues, the APC has urged a shift in focus toward governance and upholding the will of the people.

This development highlights the challenges faced in ensuring transparent and fair electoral processes in the country.