PDP kicks against Ondo election outcome, Mimiko congratulates Akeredolu
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is not willing to accept the outcome of the recently concluded Ondo State gubernatorial election, faulting INEC for its alleged bias in favour of All Progressive Congress (APC).
APC candidate, Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) won the election on Saturday by a sizeable margin, but PDP says its candidate, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede (SAN) was unfairly rigged out of the voting proceedings.
“INEC has however graduated from Inconclusive Elections as seen in Kogi, Bayelsa, Osun, FCT, Imo, Nassarawa and some other previous By-Elections in the Country to ‘Advanced Election Rigging’, as in the case of Edo and Ondo states Gubernatorial Elections,” a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Dayo Adeyeye, on Monday read.
“It is common knowledge that the APC Agents openly bought votes of the electorates in the full glare of security operatives who did nothing to prevent such dastardly violation of the Electoral Law.”
READ: Jubilation, despair, dissatisfaction trail Akeredolu’s triumph as Ondo State governor
It further said, “In view of the fact that the Election was blatantly manipulated from the beginning to the end to favour the APC, we vehemently reject the results of the November 26, 2016 gubernatorial election in Ondo State. The election and all actions leading to it fall short of laid down principles guiding conduct of elections in Nigeria.
“We have instructed our candidate and the Ondo State Chapter of our party to proceed to the tribunal to challenge the outcome of the election. We call on the judiciary to redeem Nigeria’s image on this matter as we request for the total cancellation of the election in Ondo State.”
Meanwhile, the outgoing governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Mimiko has extended his congratulatory message to Akeredolu, saying he would oversee a smooth handing over procession, even as he had also accused INEC of compromising the election results.
“It behoves on me as Governor of Ondo State to congratulate the Governor-elect, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) and wish him success in the challenging task of governing our dear state,” Mimiko said in a statement released by his Chief Press Secretary, Eni Akinsola.
“It is incumbent upon me as Governor to facilitate smooth transition between my government and the incoming one. I will, to this end, provide the ambience for a smooth and seamless transition process.”
Mimiko urged citizens to maintain the peace in the state and promised that he remains dedicated in discharging his duties till his tenure comes to an end.
