The All Progressives Congress (APC) has swept all 18 local government areas in the Ondo State Governorship Election, maintaining a significant lead over the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) resumed collation of results after a recess to allow the arrival of results from the remaining local governments, Ilaje and Ese Odo.

READ ALSO: BREAKING: Modi Shares Insights On Meeting With Tinubu

Collation Officer Prof. Olayemi Akinwunmi explained, “I think we can just adjourn till 12 noon please. Two remaining local governments are not here yet, so we adjourn till 12 noon. The local governments, Ilaje and Ese Odo, are very far, so we need to give them time to arrive.”

While APC recorded victories across all announced results, the collation process faced a brief dispute in Idanre Local Government.

The PDP’s agent alleged issues of vote-buying, ballot box snatching, and the absence of elections in some areas.

He urged the returning officer to reject the results from Idanre, but no resolution was immediately provided.

INEC National Commissioner Prof. Kunle Ajayi, speaking earlier in Akure, reassured citizens that the results would be concluded and announced without delay.

“I can assure you that until we declare the winner, we won’t leave here. We will wait until the last local government before we leave. I don’t have any fear that even by 6 am, maybe everything would have been over,” Prof. Ajayi stated.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has emerged victorious in Ogun State’s Local Government elections, sweeping all 20 chairmanship seats in the polls held on Saturday.

The Chairman of the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC), Babatunde Osibodu, confirmed the results at the commission’s headquarters in Abeokuta, declaring that the APC also secured wins in all 236 wards across the state.

According to Osibodu, a total of 613,156 votes were cast during the chairmanship elections across the 20 local government areas.

READ MORE: Nigeria’s Water Project Under Fire As World Bank Reports Missing Funds

However, the outcome has sparked strong opposition.

The Labour Party (LP), along with other opposition groups, has rejected the election results, accusing OGSIEC of misconduct and irregularities.

In a press briefing, Ogun State Labour Party Chairman, Biodun Jagun, called for the cancellation of the entire election, alleging widespread malpractices.

“There was no election in most polling units in Ogun State,” Jagun claimed, citing the absence of OGSIEC officials and electoral materials in over 90% of polling stations by 1:30 pm.

“In the few polling units where materials arrived, they were incomplete and came much later than the scheduled 8 am start time.”

Jagun emphasized that the party and its supporters would not accept the results and vowed to challenge the election in court if OGSIEC did not annul the exercise.

“We reject the results of this flawed election and call on OGSIEC to cancel it,” he stated. “Failure to do so will leave us with no choice but to pursue legal action.”

Despite the controversy, the elections saw participation from 19 political parties, including the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), and Young Progressive Party (YPP).

Nevertheless, it was the APC that dominated the election, further solidifying its control in Ogun State.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the Ondo State election, Agboola Ajayi, has cast his vote at Polling Unit 004, Apoi Ward 2, Kiribo, located in Ese-Odo Local Government Area.

However, Ajayi expressed dissatisfaction with the electoral process, alleging bias and inefficiency on the part of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Ajayi reported delays in the commencement of voting across some parts of the state and described his personal voting experience as challenging. He stated, “The BVAS devices are not working. Although the election is peaceful to some extent, I have concerns.” Ajayi also mentioned that it took nearly 10 minutes for him to cast his vote due to what he considered avoidable delays, adding that it seemed to be an attempt to frustrate voters.

READ MORE: AFCONQ: Nwabali Out Of Super Eagles’ Rwanda Game After Losing Father

The PDP candidate further criticized the proximity of security personnel to polling units, claiming that their presence was intimidating voters. “Why are security personnel stationed so close to my polling unit? They are intimidating voters. The distance between voters and military officers is uncomfortably close,” Ajayi said.

Ajayi also alleged systemic compromise in the electoral process. He remarked, “The system has been compromised. It is sad that the INEC can’t conduct an election well in one state.”

While the election has been described as largely peaceful in some quarters, Ajayi’s concerns point to persistent challenges in the electoral system, raising questions about INEC’s preparedness and neutrality.

The Ondo governorship election remains a focal point for observers, as various stakeholders continue to monitor the process.