In the recent All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election in Ondo State, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa emerged victorious amidst some protest over the election process.
Chairing the Primary Election Committee, Governor Usman Ododo of Kogi State announced Aiyedatiwa as the winner early on Monday, stating that he met all legal requirements and garnered the highest number of votes.
With 171,922 party members validated to vote across 203 wards in the 18 local government areas, Aiyedatiwa secured 48,569 votes, surpassing his closest contender, Mayowa Akinfolarin, who received 15,343 votes out of the 95,178 valid votes counted. Olusola Oke, SAN, came in third with 14,195 votes.
Aiyedatiwa clinched victory in 16 out of the 18 local government areas, while Oke secured one. Notably, there was no voting in Ifedore Local Government Area due to widespread violence and threats to safety.
Expressing gratitude to all party members for their participation and endurance during the process, Ododo commended the peaceful conduct of the primary. He emphasized the importance of unity among aspirants and their supporters post-election, urging them to remain committed to the party’s cause.
The party opted for a direct mode of primary election, which took place on Saturday. However, irregularities prompted a rerun on Sunday in the 13 wards of Okitipupa Local Government Area.
Prior to the election, some aspirants criticized the process, alleging violence and irregularities in the arrival of materials and officials at certain wards. This dissatisfaction led to protests at the APC secretariat in Akure, with supporters of several aspirants calling for the cancellation of the exercise.
Among the aspirants who participated in the primary were Isaac Kekemeke, Olusoji Ehinlanwo, Olugbenga Edema, Sen. Jimoh Ibrahim, Diran Iyantan, Prof. Dayo Faduyile, Ifeoluwa Oyedele, Funmilayo Waheed-Adekojo, Adewale Akinterinwa, Ohunyeye Felix, Morayo Lebi, Judith Omogoroye, and Jimi Odimayo.
