The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the recently concluded Ondo State governorship election, Agboola Ajayi, has rejected the results, accusing the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of electoral malpractice.

Results announced on Sunday revealed that the APC’s candidate and incumbent governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, secured victory with 366,781 votes, defeating Ajayi, who garnered 117,845 votes—less than one-third of Aiyedatiwa’s tally. The election was held on Saturday, with the results declared by Professor Olayemi Akinwumi, Vice-Chancellor of Federal University Lokoja and the election’s Returning Officer.

Ajayi, in a statement released by his Special Adviser, Ayo Fadaka, accused INEC and the APC of orchestrating “criminal activities” to manipulate the election’s outcome. He further announced plans to seek redress in court.

“Since the conclusion of voting on 16th November, we have investigated numerous incidents of electoral malpractice perpetrated by the APC and INEC,” Ajayi said. “Our findings confirm that the process was marred by actions designed to compromise the democratic will of the people.”

He criticised INEC for allegedly failing in its responsibility to ensure a credible election and accused the Ondo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Toyin Babalola, of colluding with the APC.

“The November 16 election, like others conducted under INEC since the APC came to power in 2015, continues the pattern of hijacking the electoral process and delivering results that contradict the expressed will of the people,” Ajayi asserted. He called on the judiciary to uphold justice, warning that continued electoral malpractice could destabilise the nation.

The PDP, in a separate statement signed by its State Publicity Secretary, Kennedy Ikantu Peretei, described the election as a sham and accused the APC of widespread vote-buying. However, the party urged its supporters to remain calm, promising to announce its next steps soon.

“We extend our gratitude to the good people of Ondo State for their support and resilience despite the challenges faced during the election,” the statement read. “We remain committed to pursuing justice and ensuring that the will of the people is upheld.”