In a decisive victory, Lucky Aiyedatiwa has been declared the winner of the Ondo State governorship election, solidifying his position as the state’s leader. This announcement comes nearly a year after he assumed office following the passing of his predecessor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

Aiyedatiwa, representing the All Progressives Congress (APC), triumphed over his 17 challengers, securing a significant lead with 366,781 votes. His closest competitor, Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), garnered 117,845 votes, resulting in a substantial margin of 248,936 votes. The Action Democratic Party (ADP) candidate, Ayodeji Akinnodi, and Labour Party (LP) candidate, Olorunfemi Ayodele Festus, received 4,138 and 1,162 votes respectively.

Despite the peaceful nature of the election, it was marred by allegations of vote-buying, with observers noting that financial incentives played a significant role in the outcome. The voter turnout was notably low, with only 24.8% of the electorate participating, a decrease from the 31.6% recorded in the previous election.

In his victory speech, Aiyedatiwa dedicated his win to the late Akeredolu and expressed his commitment to addressing the needs of Ondo State residents. Meanwhile, the PDP has rejected the election results, labeling the process a sham and calling for legal action.

President Bola Tinubu, in response to the opposition’s grievances, has urged dissatisfied parties to seek redress through the courts, emphasizing the importance of the legal process in resolving electoral disputes.

As Aiyedatiwa prepares to embark on his first full term, the political landscape in Ondo State remains charged, with both supporters and critics closely watching the new administration’s next moves.

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