PDP Rejects Ogun Governorship Election Results, Reveals Next Move
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the outcome of Saturday’s governorship election in Ogun State.
Recall that the state Returning Officer, Professor Kayode Adebowale, on Sunday, declared the incumbent governor and candidate of APC, Dapo Abiodun the winner of the election after scoring 276,298 votes to defeat his closest rival, Ladi Adebutu of PDP, who scored 262,383 votes out of 663,968 total votes cast.
However, the state PDP chairman, Sikirulahi Ogundele, who spoke through his Deputy, Kayode Bamgbose, during a post-election meeting with stakeholders of the party in Abeokuta, the state capital, accused INEC of being a willing tool in the hands of APC.
The party also accused the police and military of providing virile cover for gun-wielding criminals to disrupt and burn ballot boxes in over 100 polling units across the state.
Ogundele alleged that thugs sponsored by APC disrupted elections in 14 local government areas of the state and INEC results do not reflect the wish of the people.
He, therefore vowed that the party would explore all legal means available to challenge the victory of Dapo Abiodun at Saturday’s election to reclaim their mandate.
He said, “The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in unpatriotic connivance with the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) and Governor Dapo Abiodun with security agencies provided support, brazenly rigged the results of the governorship and house of assembly elections.
“Specifically, the Nigeria Police and the military provided virile cover for gun-wielding criminals to disrupt and burn ballot boxes in over 100 polling units across the state.
“The gubernatorial election of last Saturday was heavily characterised with unprecedented needless violence in several local government areas including Sagamu where 54 polling units were attacked by APC sponsored thugs and ballot boxes and other sensitive election materials were carted away and burnt to ashes.
“To our greatest dismay, the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC legalised and legitimize these atrocities when it failed to acknowledge the disruption of votes in these local governments and follow the provision of Section 24 subsection 3 and section 51 subsection 3 of the electoral act as amended.
“With tangible proofs of reckless manipulation, over voting and gross disregard for the dictates and provisions of the electoral law 2022, we can safely say that the figures announced by INEC as the final result of the governorship election does not represent the popular wish of the people.”