The Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate for Ondo State’s November 16 election, Agboola Ajayi, has rejected the outcome of the poll, announcing plans to challenge the results in court.
Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress was declared the winner, securing 366,781 votes, while Ajayi trailed with 117,845 votes.
Ajayi’s rejection follows a similar stance taken by Social Democratic Party candidate, Bamidele Akingboye, who also announced his intention to seek legal redress after receiving 438 votes, according to Peoples Gazette.
In a statement issued by his campaign spokesperson, Ayo Fadaka, Ajayi emphasised that challenging the election results through the judiciary was the only remaining option for the opposition.
He described the electoral process as tainted by “debauchery” and vowed to pursue justice through the courts.
Ajayi further claimed that his investigation revealed significant instances of electoral malpractice, involving both the APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission, which he accused of undermining the will of the people. He expressed hope that both human and divine intervention would lead to a fair resolution of the matter, while calling for an end to criminal practices in the electoral process.
He said, “In summary, we reject the results of the November 16 election and will take legal actions to reverse the debauchery. That is the option available to us and we are hopeful that man and God who is the ultimate will give us justice. It is time we begin to eschew criminality from our electoral process.
“We have uncovered lots of actions undertaken to compromise the electoral desires of the people and sadly conclude that democracy cannot thrive in an environment where unabated criminality is perpetually perpetrated in the prosecution of an election by the agency (INEC) saddled with the onerous and sacred responsibility to protect our franchise and deliver its mandate at the end of every election. November 16 election, like every other election conducted by INEC since APC assumed power in 2015 continues in the tradition of hijacking the process and delivering results that are diametrically in contrast with expressed electoral desires, thus resulting in promoting voter apathy and total disenchantment with the electoral process.’’
He added, “Emerging results of our investigation continue to affirm that our fears were not misplaced as criminal actions prosecuted in that election are being unearthed. It is a shame that people bereft of honour and required pedigree now manage sensitive institutions saddled with sacred responsibilities. While not divulging the nature and extent of the results of our investigations for now, our only prayer is that those who possess the privileges to determine the fate of people and nation should begin to live up to expectations and fear God, in the interest of our nation, it’s wellness, peace and tranquillity, else they are reduced the to same level of criminals and bandits who continuously lay landmines that undermine the progress of our nation.
“Nigeria is currently described as a failed state, it is our prayer that it is revived, rebirthed and resounding again as a nation that will not only hold promises of a better day for its people but shall deliver on same. Thus honesty must propel institutions and government, else revolt will one day dictate unwholesome developments that will portent dire consequences,” he noted.
