By JKNewsMedia
ONDO STATE voters have decisively reelected Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for his own term in office.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Aiyedatiwa the winner on Sunday at the collation center in Akure, following a comprehensive victory that reaffirmed his dominance across all 18 local government areas.
The Returning Officer, Prof. Olayemi Akinwumi, Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Lokoja, announced the final results at 2:30 p.m.
Aiyedatiwa secured 366,781 votes, while his closest rival, Ajayi Agboola of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), managed 117,845 votes.
Dr. Abbas Mimiko of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) placed a distant third with 2,692 votes.
INEC figures showed a total of 508,963 votes cast, with 497,077 valid votes and 11,886 rejected ballots. Aiyedatiwa’s APC cleared all local government areas, highlighting his widespread support.
In Akoko North East, the APC recorded 25,657 votes, significantly outpacing PDP’s 5,072. Similarly, in Ifedore LGA, APC secured 14,157 votes compared to PDP’s 5,897.
In Idanre LGA, the APC narrowly edged out PDP with 9,114 votes to 8,940 votes, showcasing a mix of dominant and competitive wins.
Prof. Akinwumi stated, “That Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa of the APC, having satisfied the requirement of the law, is hereby declared the winner and is returned elected,” adding that the declaration underscored Aiyedatiwa’s fulfillment of the legal and electoral criteria for victory.
The incumbent governor, who first assumed office in 2020, expressed gratitude to the people of Ondo State, pledging to continue his efforts in improving the state’s socio-economic conditions.
His election outcome is believed to reflect Aiyedatiwa’s continued appeal to the electorate and the stronghold of the APC in Ondo State politics.
The governor’s campaign focused on consolidating his achievements in infrastructure, healthcare, and education, which likely resonated with voters.
Opposition Reactions
The PDP and its candidate, Ajayi Agboola, have yet to issue a formal statement on the election results. Agboola, a former deputy governor, had campaigned on promises of change and economic revival but failed to garner significant traction among voters.
Dr. Abbas Mimiko, representing ZLP and younger brother to former Governor Olusegun Mimiko, struggled to make an impact, receiving just 2,692 votes across the state.
