Ondo State’s Social Democratic Party has rejected the results of Saturday’s local government elections, claiming that the ruling All Progressives Congress engaged in widespread fraud.
Dr. Joseph Aremo, the chairman of the Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission, declared on Sunday that the APC had won every chairmanship and councillorship in all 18 local government districts in the state.
However, Mr. Gbenga Akinbuli, the state’s SDP chairman, denounced the election as a fraud in a statement released on Monday, pointing to ballot stuffing, the absence of essential voting forms, and intimidation of opposition members.
“The good people of the state know that this was a massive selection, not an election, and the ruling All Progressives Congress manipulated the exercise,” Akinbuli stated.
He criticized the poll’s lack of credibility and demanded that it be canceled right away.
Akinbuli said that results were written on plain pieces of paper and that ODIEC officials in the towns of Odigbo and Ile Oluji ignored the correct election procedures.
“The election ought to be canceled due to the lack of credibility, ballot stuffing, non-compliance with Form ECA, and the biased actions of security personnel,” he stated.
The Nigeria Police Force in particular was charged by the SDP with participation in the purported electoral irregularities.
According to Akinbuli, police officials in Ore Division detained SDP candidates who opposed APC supporters’ thuggery and actively encouraged it.
Akinbuli demanded that the Inspector General of Police look into the allegations, saying, “We have video evidence showing a police officer allegedly supervising the harassment of our chairmanship candidate in Odigbo, Mr. Jimmy Akiyan.”
He also criticized the lack of security guards, saying it allowed for voting manipulation and intimidation.
Mr. Ade Adetimehin, the chairman of the Ondo State APC, quickly refuted the accusations and called the election one of the most peaceful in the state’s history.
“The election was free, fair, and peaceful. Adetimehin remarked, “Anyone who says otherwise is just making noise to be heard.”
“You were on the field that day,” he said, praising ODIEC and other stakeholders for their efforts. Where did you witness manipulation of any kind? I applaud all those engaged for a job well done, and the process was well-organized.
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