INEC To Present Certificate Of Return To Aiyedatiwa Amid Protests

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will present Certificates of Return to Ondo State Governor-elect Lucky Aiyedatiwa and his deputy on Wednesday at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

Rotimi Oyekanmi, Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, confirmed the development, stating that the certificates would be handed over as part of the formal process following Aiyedatiwa’s victory in the Saturday governorship election. Aiyedatiwa, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, secured 366,781 votes to defeat his closest rival, Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party, who garnered 117,845 votes.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that despite INEC’s declaration, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has rejected the election results, citing irregularities. Ondo SDP Chairman, Gbenga Akinbuli, described the process as a “shame on democracy,” alleging harassment of party agents, voter intimidation, and widespread vote-buying. He added that the SDP’s legal team is working towards challenging the results in court, calling for the election’s cancellation.

SDP candidate Bamidele Akingboye echoed these sentiments, claiming the election was marred by irregularities and intimidation. “Last Saturday was supposed to mark Ondo State’s liberation, but it turned into a sad story,” Akingboye said, alleging threats and public insults from APC members during the process.

INEC To Present Certificate Of Return To Aiyedatiwa Amid Protests

The APC, however, dismissed these allegations as baseless. Steve Otaloro, the party’s Director of Media and Publicity, described the election as one of the most credible in Ondo’s history. Otaloro urged opposition parties to seek redress through the election tribunal instead of “ridiculing” a widely commended process.

The Ondo governorship election, observed by local and international bodies, has drawn both praise and criticism, with YAGA Africa describing INEC’s conduct as a notable improvement compared to previous elections.

All parties now await the next steps, as the SDP prepares its legal challenge against Aiyedatiwa’s victory.

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