Governor Aiyedatiwa Emerges as the Victor in Ondo APC Primary Election

Mr. Aiyedatiwa, the current governor, successfully secured 48,569 votes, establishing a significant lead over his main rivals. Mayowa Akinfolarin, his nearest competitor, gathered 15,343 votes, while Olusola Oke trailed closely with 14,865 votes, settling for third place.

The official declaration was made by Ahmed Ododo, the Governor of Kogi State and Chairman of the Governorship Primary Election Committee. During an announcement that was widely shared in a video on X, Governor Ododo confirmed, “I can confirm that the direct mode of primary election adopted in the 2024 Ondo state governorship primary elections was held across all 203 electoral wards in the 18 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Ondo State.” It was noted that Aiyedatiwa achieved victory in 16 out of the 18 LGAs, with Oke taking the lead in Ilaje LGA.

However, the electoral process was not without controversy. Reports from SaharaReporters highlighted several incidents of violence that affected the proceedings in Ifedore LGA, resulting in the cancellation of results there. Additionally, complaints emerged regarding the manner in which the election committee managed the primary, with allegations of bias directed at the committee led by Ododo.

Among the dissatisfied was Mrs. Folakemi Omogoroye, a female aspirant, who vehemently disputed the legitimacy of the primary. In a press release, she claimed that the election was marred by significant irregularities, stating, “There was no election anywhere.” Mrs. Omogoroye described the situation as a “complete rape of democracy,” citing the absence of election officials and voting materials, which prevented her and her supporters from voting.

In her statement, she expressed her disillusionment, especially after being motivated by the party's promise of a fair election under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership. “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu gave us women a renewed hope agenda that prompted me to go into the race with assurance that the election is going to be free and fair,” she explained. However, the reality on the ground contradicted these assurances, as she reported that from 7 a.m. there were no election materials or officials present, and yet reports were already declaring Aiyedatiwa the winner.

Mrs. Omogoroye voiced her concerns about the damage this flawed process could do to the party’s reputation, highlighting that other parties were mocking their process and calling into question the integrity of the election. She warned of potential legal action unless the election was annulled, underscoring her commitment to seeking justice not just for herself but for the credibility of the party and its processes. Her strong stance reflects broader concerns within the party and amongst the electorate about the need to uphold democratic principles and ensure fair electoral practices in political contests.