The spokesperson of the PDP National Youth Group, Dare Glintstone Akinniyi, has voiced concerns over Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s re-election in Ondo State, describing it as a “rigged” process marred by widespread vote buying.....Read Full Article>>
According to a report by Legit.ng, Governor Aiyedatiwa, the APC candidate, was declared the winner of the November 19 Ondo governorship election with 366,781 votes, defeating his closest opponent, Agboola Ajayi of the PDP, who garnered 117,845 votes.
PDP Alleges Election Malpractices
Reacting to the election results, Akinniyi accused the APC of using financial inducements, ranging from 10,000 to 20,000 naira per voter, to secure their victory. He lamented that economic hardships, which he believed would deter support for the ruling party, seemed instead to have been leveraged to manipulate voters.
In an interview, Akinniyi stated:
“It’s disheartening to see hunger and poverty dictating our democracy. With just 10,000 or 20,000 naira, votes were purchased, and consciences sold. This shows how the APC has weaponized poverty to undermine free elections.”
Concerns Over APC’s Electoral Dominance
Akinniyi also expressed fears about APC’s strategies, suggesting that the ruling party might attempt to influence the 2027 general elections similarly. He stressed the need for opposition parties to unite to counter APC’s growing dominance, warning that failure to align could result in prolonged APC rule.
He added:
“Without a strong opposition coalition, APC might dominate until 2031. It’s time to strategize, galvanize youth support, and rebuild party structures across all levels.”
PDP’s Response to Aiyedatiwa’s Victory
Meanwhile, Segun Showunmi, a PDP chieftain, took a more conciliatory tone, congratulating Governor Aiyedatiwa on his victory while encouraging PDP’s candidate, Agboola Ajayi, to remain steadfast.
As the dust settles on the election, Akinniyi has urged Nigerians to reflect on the outcome and prepare for future political battles, emphasizing the need for vigilance and a unified front against vote-buying and other malpractices.
Be the first to comment