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Lucky Aiyedatiwa has been confirmed as the winner of the Ondo State governorship election, securing his position amidst a backdrop of controversy and allegations. This victory comes nearly a year after he stepped into the role following the death of his predecessor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

Representing the All Progressives Congress (APC), Aiyedatiwa won with a commanding 366,781 votes, significantly outpacing his closest rival, Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who received 117,845 votes. Other candidates, including Ayodeji Akinnodi of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) and Olorunfemi Ayodele Festus of the Labour Party (LP), trailed with 4,138 and 1,162 votes respectively.

Despite the peaceful conduct of the election, it was overshadowed by serious allegations of vote-buying and electoral malpractice. Observers reported widespread instances of financial inducements, with claims that voters were offered money to influence their choices. These allegations have cast a shadow over the legitimacy of the election results.

The voter turnout was notably low, with only 24.8% of registered voters participating, a significant drop from the 31.6% turnout in the previous election. This decline has raised concerns about voter apathy and the overall health of the democratic process in the state.

In his victory speech, Aiyedatiwa dedicated his win to the late Akeredolu and pledged to focus on the development and welfare of Ondo State residents. He acknowledged the challenges ahead and called for unity and cooperation from all stakeholders.

However, the PDP has vehemently rejected the election results, describing the process as deeply flawed and calling for immediate legal action. The party’s leadership has accused the APC of orchestrating a “sham election” and has vowed to challenge the outcome in court.

President Bola Tinubu, addressing the opposition’s grievances, urged all dissatisfied parties to seek redress through the judicial system. He emphasized the importance of upholding the rule of law and resolving electoral disputes through legal channels.

As Aiyedatiwa prepares to embark on his first full term, the political atmosphere in Ondo State remains tense. Both supporters and critics are closely monitoring the new administration’s actions, particularly in light of the controversies surrounding the election.