Kehinde Fajobi
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its governorship candidate in Ondo State, Otunba Bamidele Akingboye, have rejected the results of the state’s governorship election held last Saturday, describing it as a “slap on democracy.”
At a press briefing in Akure, the state chairman of the SDP, Barr. Gbenga Akinbuli, called for the immediate cancellation of the election, citing widespread irregularities.
“Voters were intimidated and harassed at Ward 10 Unit 19, Ondo West local government,” Akinbuli said. He alleged that voters were offered between ₦7,000 and ₦10,000 to cast their votes.
According to Akinbuli, SDP agents were forcefully removed from polling units across the state.
He questioned the results, particularly in Okitipupa and Ilaje, where the party reportedly received negligible votes.
“It is laughable for our candidate to score just two votes in Okitipupa, his hometown,” he said.
“How come the SDP got zero votes in Ilaje? Thugs chased everybody out of the polling unit. People were scared of coming out to vote.
“Security at the polling units could not do anything. They chased out our agents. We are saying the election was marred by gross malpractices, vote buying, and electoral intimidation.”
Akinbuli declared the election a “show of shame,” adding, “It was buyers and sellers day in Ondo.” He confirmed the party’s decision to challenge the results in court.
Otunba Akingboye, the SDP candidate, also expressed dismay over the conduct of the election, insisting that he should be declared the winner.
“What I saw yesterday was shocking to me,” Akingboye said. “In my unit in Okitipupa, Ward 2 Unit 10, they were conducting an open auction. As a person of integrity, I refused to partake in unlawful acts.”
He accused thugs of disrupting voting and intimidating SDP supporters, claiming this denied him a fair chance.
“I’m asking that they should declare me the winner of this election because people were supposed to vote for me, but they chased all our party agents out of the polling units.
“Thuggery was the act of the day. I consider myself the winner of this election, and INEC should declare me as such,” Akingboye added.
The SDP vowed to pursue its case in court to ensure justice is served.