SDP heads to tribunal post Ondo gubernatorial election

Bamidele Akingboye, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate in the recent Ondo State governorship election, has rejected the results and pledged to contest them in court. Incumbent Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was declared the winner with 366,781 votes, while Akingboye secured just 438 votes, and Ajayi Agboola of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) received 117,845 votes.

In a statement made in Akure on Monday, Akingboye accused the election process of being deeply flawed, alleging widespread irregularities and accusing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of overseeing a defective process. He criticized both the APC and PDP for engaging in vote-buying, describing the election as a “bazaar-like auction.” Akingboye emphasized that he would not tolerate such practices, asserting his integrity and claiming that the results were manipulated. He further called for a fresh election or for INEC to declare him the winner, as he believed he had the people’s mandate.

READ ALSO: LP candidate blames Obi and the NLC for loss

Gbenga Akinbuli, the SDP state chairman, supported Akingboye’s claims, calling the election a “slap on democracy” and accusing the poll of being marred by vote-buying, intimidation, and other irregularities. He demanded the immediate annulment of the election results. However, INEC has defended the election, insisting it was conducted fairly.