Chief Agboola Ajayi, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the November 16 governorship election in Ondo State, has filed a petition with the election tribunal to contest the declaration of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa as the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
In his first public statement since the election, Ajayi described the process as a “miscarriage of democracy,” accusing INEC of compromising the integrity of the polls. He emphasized that the election results did not reflect the will of the electorate in Ondo State.
“Since the election, we have taken time to review the events of that day comprehensively. After careful analysis, we have decided to challenge the outcome at the tribunal, as it does not align with the aspirations of our people,” Ajayi stated.
The PDP candidate rejected claims that voters were influenced by monetary inducements, insisting that the people of Ondo State were not for sale. He expressed gratitude to the electorate for their confidence in his candidacy and the maturity they displayed during the elections despite alleged provocations.
Ajayi accused INEC of failing to maintain impartiality, despite prior warnings and legal efforts aimed at ensuring a transparent electoral process. He claimed the widespread dissatisfaction following the announcement of Aiyedatiwa as the winner underscored the public’s discontent with the electoral outcome.
“The declaration of Governor Aiyedatiwa was met with palpable dissatisfaction across the state. This is why our party has taken the lawful route of filing a petition at the tribunal. We are committed to pursuing justice and ensuring that the true will of the people is upheld,” he affirmed.
While expressing optimism about the tribunal’s proceedings, Ajayi acknowledged lingering concerns about the judiciary’s impartiality. “The judiciary remains a cornerstone of democracy. We trust it will rise to this critical challenge and deliver a fair judgment,” he said.
Ajayi also used the platform to advocate for comprehensive electoral reforms. He urged the National Assembly to amend the Electoral Act to incorporate electronic voting, which he believes would significantly reduce malpractice and enhance the credibility of Nigeria’s elections.
“The current use of BVAS has been prone to manipulation. It requires re-evaluation to ensure it serves its intended purpose. Adopting an electronic voting system would address many of the issues undermining our democracy,” he argued.
Ajayi concluded by appreciating the support from the people of Ondo State and the PDP leadership. “We are committed to restoring integrity to our democracy and ensuring that leaders in Ondo State are chosen freely and fairly by the people,” he said.
The tribunal proceedings are expected to garner significant public and political interest as Ajayi and the PDP seek to overturn the election result.
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