Politics
APC Accuses Adeleke Of Backing Protests, PDP Reacts
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun state claimed that recent protests against the Election Petition Tribunal’s ruling that removed Governor Ademola Adeleke from office were backed by Adeleke and his party, the Peoples Democratic Party. The APC warned that these actions could harm Adeleke’s appeal rather than help it.
In response, the acting chairman of Osun PDP, Dr. Akindele Adekunle, stated that the protests showed the public’s rejection of the tribunal’s verdict.
The previous governor of the state, Gboyega Oyetola, and the APC had contested Adeleke’s victory as PDP’s candidate in the July 16, 2022 governorship election at the tribunal in August 2022.
The tribunal, consisting of a three-member panel, ruled on Friday with two judges finding in favor of Oyetola, stating that he had evidence of over-voting in certain polling stations.
The majority decision, read by Tetsea Kume, concluded that the electoral body, INEC, did not abide by the constitution and the Electoral Act.
On Saturday, PDP supporters held protests in Osogbo, the state capital, to criticize the tribunal’s ruling.
Due to fear of violence, many businesses in the city remained closed. The PDP protesters marched and sang slogans condemning the annulment of the governor’s win.
On Sunday, the acting chairman of Osun APC, Tajudeen Lawal, issued a statement in Osogbo expressing concern that the PDP chose to attack the judiciary due to the tribunal’s unfavorable ruling.
It further read in part, “I must expressly state here that it is still within the purview of your fundamental human right to approach the Court of Appeal for redress instead of sponsoring violent protests in some towns across the state.
“Based on Friday’s tribunal judgement, it is absolutely illegal for Adeleke to be talking about any mandate as the authentic election results of the July 16, 2022 governorship election has expressly shown that the PDP candidate has no mandate to flaunt talkless of claiming any.
“It should be known that the incidence of over-voting, basis upon which Adeleke was purportedly declared the winner by the INEC as established by the tribunal, is nothing but unfair play which if left unturned is capable of setting a very bad precedent for our democracy.
Adekunle responded to APC’s claim by stating that the protests showed the people’s rejection of the “Buga verdict.” He said the show of support for Adeleke was a spontaneous response to attempts to steal the popular mandate and that the demonstrations rejected the “Kangaroo judgment.”
“Nobody celebrated the evil ruling. Across towns and villages, Osun people voluntarily rejected a bunch of electoral armed robbers.
The reinstated Labour Party governorship candidate in Ondo State, Ayodele Olorunfemi, has expressed frustration over his loss in the recent election, attributing his defeat to former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC) emerged victorious, securing all 18 local government areas and earning 366,781 votes. Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) trailed with 117,845 votes, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
While the APC candidate was declared the winner, Olorunfemi lamented the disruption caused by internal party conflicts, particularly involving Peter Obi’s backing of Olusola Ebiseni.
Olorunfemi accused Obi and the NLC of undermining his campaign by supporting Ebiseni’s candidacy before the Court of Appeal reinstated Olorunfemi’s position on the ballot.
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In a statement to The PUNCH, Olorunfemi criticized the actions of the NLC and Obi, alleging that attempts were made to force his withdrawal through a forged letter. “I have Peter Obi and the NLC to thank for that. They have scuttled my aspirations and chances to win this Ondo election,” he stated. He further claimed that Ebiseni acted without his consent, presenting the forged letter in court.
Olorunfemi vowed to take legal action, stating, “I am planning to petition the Inspector General of Police to probe how they wrote that letter, put my signature, and presented it before the court.”
The Labour Party’s internal strife was highlighted by accusations from the NLC’s acting Political Commission Chairman, Prof. Theophilus Ndubuaku, who described Olorunfemi as unreliable. He alleged that Olorunfemi had initially sought to sell the ticket to Ebiseni for N20 million but reneged on the agreement, leading to the court battle.
Despite his reinstatement days before the election, Olorunfemi admitted his campaign efforts were insufficient to secure victory. As of this report, neither Peter Obi nor Ebiseni had responded to the allegations.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of spending over N35 billion to induce voters in the recently concluded Ondo State governorship election.
The accusation came shortly after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared APC’s candidate, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, as the winner.
At precisely 2:29 pm on Saturday, INEC’s Returning Officer, Prof. Olayemi Akinwunmi, announced Aiyedatiwa’s victory, with the incumbent securing 366,781 votes.
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His closest rival, PDP’s Agboola Ajayi, garnered 117,845 votes, while Adeyemi Nejo of the African Democratic Party placed third with 4,138 votes.
In a press statement following the announcement, Olaniyi Ogungbuji, the PDP State Collation Agent, criticized the APC’s campaign methods, alleging widespread vote-buying.
“This is the end result of the election, but I can tell you that APC as a party deployed over N35bn into inducing the electorate. If this is the future of this nation, we are doomed for it,” Ogungbuji said.
Ogungbuji also raised concerns about the failure of elections to take place in certain polling units in Idanre Local Government Area.
However, these concerns were dismissed during the collation process. The PDP agent hinted that the party and Ajayi would deliberate on the next steps in the coming days.
Meanwhile, APC’s State Agent, Ade Adeogun, strongly rejected the PDP’s accusations, labeling them as unfounded and an attempt to explain away their electoral loss.
“You need to understand that throughout this electioneering period, we even complained that Ondo State was over-policed. If they had any genuine evidence, they should have reported it to the security agencies. Those involved in vote buying would have been arrested,” Adeogun stated.
He also dismissed the allegations as “flippant excuses,” emphasizing that elections should be won based on merit, not claims without proof.
“Without evidence, you can’t just go around and make flippant excuses,” he said. “They lost woefully, and they’re looking for a straw to hold onto.”
Adeogun further stated that the PDP’s complaints were simply a result of their defeat, adding, “Let them weep; they lost woefully. They didn’t deserve to win.”
As tensions continue to simmer, both parties remain locked in a bitter dispute over the results of the Ondo governorship election, with the PDP considering legal action in the days to come.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as the winner of the Ondo State governorship election held on Saturday, November 16, 2024.
Aiyedatiwa secured a decisive victory, polling 366,781 votes to defeat his closest rival, Mr. Agboola Ajayi of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), who garnered 117,845 votes.
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The APC swept all 18 local government areas of the state in a dominant performance that underscored its stronghold in Ondo.
The results were announced at INEC’s State Headquarters in Akure by the collation officer, Prof. Olayemi Akinwunmi.
“Having satisfied the requirements of the law and scored the highest number of votes, Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the APC is hereby declared the winner of the Ondo State governorship election,” Prof. Akinwunmi stated.
Breakdown of Results by Local Government Areas:
1. Akure North: APC 14,451 | PDP 5,787
2. Akure South: APC 32,969 | PDP 17,926
3. Okitipupa: APC 26,811 | PDP 10,233
4. Ose: APC 16,555 | PDP 4,472
5. Owo: APC 31,914 | PDP 4,740
6. Akoko Northeast: APC 25,657 | PDP 5,072
7. Akoko Northwest: APC 25,010 | PDP 5,502
8. Akoko Southeast: APC 12,140 | PDP 2,692
9. Akoko Southwest: APC 29,700 | PDP 5,517
10. Ondo West: APC 20,755 | PDP 6,387
11. Ondo East: APC 8,163 | PDP 2,843
12. Ile Oluji/Oke-Igbo: APC 16,600 | PDP 4,442
13. Idanre: APC 9,114 | PDP 8,940
14. Irele: APC 17,117 | PDP 6,601
15. Ifedore: APC 14,157 | PDP 5,897
16. Ilaje: APC 24,474 | PDP 3,623 | LP 176
17. Ese Odo: APC 14,511 | PDP 7,814
18. Odigbo: APC 26,683 | PDP 9,348
The Labour Party (LP) and the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) trailed far behind, with LP securing 1,162 votes and ZLP 2,692 votes across the state.
Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s victory cements the APC’s grip on Ondo State politics.
The governor-elect has promised to focus on economic development, improved infrastructure, and youth empowerment.
“This victory is not just for the APC but for every citizen of Ondo State. Together, we will build a brighter future,” Aiyedatiwa said in his acceptance speech.
The election, which was monitored by domestic and international observers, was largely peaceful, with only minor logistical challenges reported.
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