Ondo APC primary: Aiyedatiwa declared winner amid protests, controversy

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has been declared the winner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election in Ondo State, despite protests and controversies surrounding the process.

Usman Ododo, Chairman of the party’s Primary Election Committee for Ondo State and Governor of Kogi, announced Aiyedatiwa’s victory early Monday morning.

With 171,922 party members revalidated to vote in 203 wards across the state, Aiyedatiwa secured 48,569 votes, surpassing his closest rival, Mayowa Akinfolarin, who garnered 15,343 votes out of the 95,178 valid votes counted. Olusola Oke, SAN, came third with 14,195 votes.

According to Ododo, Aiyedatiwa won in 16 out of the 18 local government areas, while Oke clinched victory in one. However, voting in Ifedore Local Government Area was suspended due to widespread violence and threats.

Despite challenges during the election, Ododo commended party members for their courage and perseverance, describing the primary as peaceful. He urged aspirants and supporters not to allow the results to divide them, emphasizing the need for unity.

The party adopted the direct mode for the primary, held on Saturday. However, irregularities prompted a rerun in 13 wards in Okitipupa Local Government Area on Sunday.

Earlier complaints from aspirants included allegations of violence and delays in the arrival of materials and officials. Supporters of some aspirants protested at the APC secretariat in Akure on Sunday, demanding the cancellation of the exercise.

Other aspirants in the primary included 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.