INEC Declares APC’s Lucky Aiyedatiwa Winner of Ondo Governorship Election
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, the incumbent governor of Ondo State, as the winner of the governorship election held on Saturday.
The formal announcement was made by INEC Returning Officer, Prof. Olayemi Akinwunmi, at 2:29 pm on Sunday at the State Collation Center in Akure. Prof. Akinwunmi, who also serves as Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Lokoja, disclosed the final results after collating votes from all 18 local government areas in the state.
Aiyedatiwa, representing the All Progressives Congress (APC), secured a landslide victory with 366,781 votes, defeating his closest rival, Hon. Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who garnered 117,845 votes. The Africa Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate came third with 4,138 votes.
The detailed results as announced were:
- APC: 366,781 votes
- PDP: 117,845 votes
- ADC: 4,138 votes
- Other parties collectively accounted for smaller shares, with the total valid votes at 497,077, rejected votes at 11,886, and total votes cast at 508,963.
Prof. Akinwunmi affirmed that Aiyedatiwa fulfilled all legal requirements and won the majority of lawful votes, stating, “That Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa of the APC, having satisfied all the requirements of the law and scored the majority of the lawful votes, is hereby declared the winner and returned elected.”
Aiyedatiwa achieved a clean sweep, winning in all 18 local government areas, including those of his closest rivals. This comprehensive victory underscores the ruling party’s dominance in the state.
With a voter turnout of over 500,000 out of 1.75 million PVC holders and a registered voter base exceeding 2 million, the election highlighted significant voter engagement despite challenges often associated with elections.
