After months of rigorous campaigning and political manoeuvring, the people of Ondo State have re-elected Lucky Aiyedatiwa as their governor for the next four years.

Professor Olayemi Akinwumi, Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Lokoja, who served as the Returning Officer, declared Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC) the winner on Sunday. The announcement ensures the governor’s continued tenure at the Government House in Alagbaka, Akure.

Aiyedatiwa, the incumbent governor, secured 366,781 votes, comfortably defeating his nearest rival, Ajayi Agboola of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who garnered 117,845 votes—less than a third of Aiyedatiwa’s tally.

“Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa of the APC, having satisfied the requirements of the law, is hereby declared the winner and returned elected,” Professor Akinwumi declared at 2:30 pm at the INEC collation centre in Akure.

The collation of results, which commenced in the early hours of Sunday, revealed the APC’s overwhelming lead, eventually winning all 18 local government areas.

This victory extends Aiyedatiwa’s administration in the oil-rich Sunshine State. A former deputy governor, he assumed office on 27 December 2023, following the death of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu. Akeredolu, who had transmitted power to Aiyedatiwa before his demise, passed away after a prolonged illness.

Aiyedatiwa’s campaign highlighted economic improvements and better welfare for workers, including the introduction of a ₦73,000 minimum wage, surpassing the federal benchmark of ₦70,000.

The election day was largely peaceful, with INEC officials arriving early at polling units. While Governor Aiyedatiwa expressed confidence in his re-election based on his record in office, his opponent, Agboola, alleged irregularities.

“The system is compromised,” Agboola claimed, accusing INEC of vote buying and inefficiencies with the BVAS machines. Observers also noted widespread vote trading, conducted “openly and unchecked,” despite the presence of security personnel.