The Peoples Democratic Party has announced plans for a more thorough review of the governorship election held in Ondo State on Saturday, following concerns over its integrity.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the party’s spokesman, Debo Ologunagba, the PDP emphasised its commitment to defending Nigeria’s democracy.
Ologunagba noted that the party’s National Working Committee would conduct a detailed analysis of the election and its results before deciding on further actions.
The PDP representative described the Ondo election as the worst ever conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission, citing widespread dissatisfaction with the process. He argued that the election failed to meet the necessary standards for a free, fair, and credible contest.
Ologunagba accused the ruling All Progressives Congress of engaging in electoral manipulation, alleging that the party used tactics such as vote-buying, electoral bribery, and widespread deceit to undermine the will of the electorate. He condemned what he described as “electoral swindling” and “the monetization of votes” during the poll.
The PDP spokesman further appealed to both the Nigerian public and the international community to take note of what transpired during the election and urged for decisive action to prevent such practices in the future to safeguard the country’s democratic process.
“The National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP will be having a more detailed review of the election and its outcome and take appropriate action in the defence of our democracy.
“This election witnessed widespread election merchandising, monetisation and bare-faced vote buying by the APC and its apparatus in government to suppress the genuine aspiration of the people.
“We demand that serious action be taken to stem such if Nigeria’s democracy must survive,” Ologunagba said.