The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate in the October 10 governorship election in Ondo State, Eyitayo Jegede have filed a petition at the Ondo State Governorship Election Tribunal to challenge the declaration of Rotimi Akeredolu as winner of the election. The grounds of the petition are allegations that the election was marred by irregularities, violence and intimidation. The petitioners also faulted the APC governorship primaries from which Akeredolu emerged flagbearer of the party.
It will be recalled that on October 10, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) conducted a governorship election in Ondo State, following which Rotimi Akeredolu was returned duly elected, having scored a total of 292,830 votes and the highest number of votes in 15 out of 18 Local Government Areas, and declared winner of the election. Following INEC’s declaration of Akeredolu as winner of the election, the Publicity Secretary of the PDP in Ondo State, Kennedy Peretei had stated that the party would study the election results to decipher the appropriate action to take. The party also accused the APC of attacks on its members and supporters, as well as its secretariat and campaign office in Ijare, Ifedore Local Government Area, in the guise of celebrating their victory. The Ondo State Chairman of the APC, Ade Adetimehim, however, dismissed the allegations.
Unlike the Edo State governorship election, where the main opposition party opted not to challenge the outcome of the election, Jegede’s decision to challenge the governorship election in Ondo State has generated anticipation in the State with regard to how the legal proceedings will pan out.