Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, is currently leading by a significant margin in the ongoing Ondo State gubernatorial election.

According to the latest results released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Aiyedatiwa has secured 301,113 votes, leading his closest challenger, Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), by 204,062 votes. Ajayi has garnered 97,051 votes so far.

The results, which have been announced for 15 out of the 18 Local Government Areas (LGAs), show a strong performance from the APC candidate.

However, results from three LGAs are still pending.

Collation of results commenced around 12:35 am at the INEC office in Akure, the state capital.

Prof. Olayemi Akinwunmi, Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Lokoja, is overseeing the process as the Returning Officer.

Key results from some of the LGAs already declared include:

Akure North: APC – 14,451, PDP – 5,787

Okitipupa: APC – 26,811, PDP – 10,233

Ifedore: APC – 14,157, PDP – 5,897

Ondo East: APC – 8,163, PDP – 2,843

Ile Oluji/Okeigbo: APC – 16,600, PDP – 4,442

Idanre: APC – 9,114, PDP – 8,940

Irele: APC – 17,117, PDP – 6,601

Akoko Southwest: APC – 29,700, PDP – 5,517

Owo: APC – 31,914, PDP – 4,740

Ondo West: APC – 20,755, PDP – 6,387

Akoko South-East: APC – 12,140, PDP – 2,692

Akoko Northwest: APC – 25,010, PDP – 5,502

Ose: APC – 16,555, PDP – 4,472

Akure South: APC – 32,969, PDP – 17,926

Akoko North-East: APC – 25,657, PDP – 5,072

Final results from the remaining three LGAs are eagerly awaited as the state approaches the completion of its vote counting.

The Deputy Governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State, Mr. Festus Akingbaso, has raised concerns over the reported presence of thugs in Idanre Local Government Area ahead of today’s governorship election.

Akingbaso, who is also a member of the House of Representatives, voiced his concerns after casting his vote at Polling Unit 005, Oke Imikan, in the Idanre LGA.

While he acknowledged the positive voter turnout and the current security arrangements, Akingbaso expressed his alarm over reports of thugs allegedly being deployed in the area.

“So far, the turnout of voters has been encouraging, and the security situation appears stable. I have no complaints about INEC’s handling of the process thus far,” he said.

However, he urged voters to remain vigilant, advising them to stay at their polling stations after casting their votes until the results were officially declared.

“If everything goes as planned, my party will emerge victorious,” Akingbaso added.

On the issue of thuggery, the PDP deputy candidate claimed that several villages in Idanre, including Ofosun, Omifunfun, and Allah, were reportedly overrun by suspected thugs believed to be working on behalf of the APC.

He singled out Igbepo, another area in Idanre LGA, as a hotspot for thug activity.

“There have been reports that thugs have infiltrated many of the villages, and we received a disturbing report from Ofosun where thugs broke into the home of a party member to prevent him from voting. There are also concerns that there are deliberate plans to block voters in these villages from casting their ballots,” Akingbaso claimed.

He further alleged that the APC had brought in these suspected thugs since Friday and expressed frustration over the apparent inaction of the security agencies.

“I have reported the matter to both the DPO and the DSS, but so far, no significant action has been taken to address the situation,” he said.

Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the incumbent governor of Ondo State and the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in today’s governorship election, has cast his vote.

Aiyedatiwa voted at his Polling Unit 05, Ward 4, Obenla in Ilaje Local Government Area (LGA) at 8:52 am.

Speaking to journalists after casting his vote, Aiyedatiwa commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its smooth and well-organized process, particularly in his ward.

He praised the election’s peaceful atmosphere and expressed gratitude towards the security agencies for maintaining order.

“The election has been peaceful, and I have cast my vote. I commend INEC and the security agencies for their professionalism and composure. I encourage all citizens of the state to come out and vote, without fear or favour.”

Aiyedatiwa also expressed confidence in his chances of winning the election, adding that a victory would be a momentous occasion for his party.

“It will be a big celebration for APC,” he said.

Security personnel were present at polling stations to ensure a calm and secure voting environment across the state.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reinstated Olorunfemi Festus as the Labour Party’s candidate for the 2024 Ondo State governorship election, following a Court of Appeal ruling.

This decision comes after the appellate court overturned a Federal High Court judgment that had earlier ordered INEC to recognize Olusola Ebiseni as the Labour Party’s candidate.

On September 27, 2024, the Federal High Court had ruled that INEC should accept Ebiseni as the candidate for the election.

However, the Labour Party appealed the decision, and the Court of Appeal, in its ruling on November 14, 2024, declared that the Federal High Court did not have jurisdiction in the matter.

The court’s decision led to the reinstatement of Festus, whose name was initially published by INEC as the party’s official candidate.

In compliance with the Court of Appeal’s ruling, INEC updated its records and published Festus’ details on its official website.

A statement from the commission confirmed that the Certified True Copy of the judgment was served to INEC on November 14, 2024, confirming the appellate court’s decision.

The statement read, “The commission was served with the Certified True Copy of the judgment of the Court of Appeal, which set aside the judgment of the Federal High Court. As a result, we have restored Olorunfemi Ayodele Festus as the Labour Party’s candidate for the 2024 Ondo State governorship election.”

Festus’ name is now listed on INEC’s website as the party’s candidate for the upcoming election.