THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has criticized the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its handling of the Ondo State gubernatorial election on Saturday, labeling it “a sham.”
In a statement released yesterday and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the opposition party announced that it is currently assessing the results of the election.
According to INEC’s announcement, the PDP’s candidate, Agboola Ajayi, finished far behind with 117,845 votes, while the winner, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC), received 366,781 votes.
The PDP described this election as the worst ever conducted by INEC.
“The Peoples Democratic Party, along with all advocates of democracy in Nigeria and around the world, has just witnessed the most poorly executed election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The November 16, 2024, gubernatorial election in Ondo State fell short of the standards expected for a free, fair, and credible election, marked by extreme electoral fraud, deceit, and manipulation by the APC,” the statement read in part.
The opposition party further accused the APC of widespread vote-buying, asserting that this practice was prevalent due to the ruling party’s impoverishment of the Nigerian populace.
“This election saw extensive electoral manipulation, monetization, and blatant vote-buying by the APC and its government affiliates, undermining the true aspirations of the people. Such deceitful tactics were rampant because the APC has significantly impoverished Nigerians, using poverty as a tool of mass subjugation to influence the election and its results.”
The PDP urged all Nigerians and the international community to take note of these deplorable practices by the APC, as observed in the November 16, 2024, gubernatorial election in Ondo State, demanding urgent action to address these issues if Nigeria’s democracy is to endure.
Meanwhile, the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC) will conduct a more thorough review of the election and its results to determine appropriate actions in defense of democracy.