Amidst a whirlwind of controversy and contested claims, Lucky Aiyedatiwa emerges as the torchbearer for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the upcoming gubernatorial race in Ondo State. The stakes were high, the tensions palpable, as Aiyedatiwa's victory in the party's primary election on Monday sent shockwaves through the political landscape.
Usman Ododo, the Kogi state governor and chairman of the election organizing committee, stood before a throng of eager reporters in the early hours of Monday, declaring Aiyedatiwa as the victor. With 48,569 votes under his belt, Aiyedatiwa triumphed over his closest contenders, Mayowa Akinfolarin and Olusola Oke, who garnered 15,343 and 14,915 votes respectively. The numbers spoke volumes, reflecting Aiyedatiwa's widespread support across 16 of the state's 18 Local Government Areas (LGAs), with Oke clinching victory in Ilaje LGA.
Yet, the road to victory was fraught with controversy and discord. Allegations of irregularities marred the primary election from its inception on Saturday, with leading contenders decrying the lack of transparency and fairness in the process. As the dust settled, voices of dissent rang loud and clear. Olusola Oke, Olugbenga Edema, Wale Akinterinwa, Dayo Faduyile, Jimi Odimayo, and others voiced their grievances, alleging that the election was a mere facade, void of democratic integrity.
Folakemi Omogoroye, a female governorship hopeful, minced no words in denouncing the election as a "complete rape of democracy." Her sentiments echoed the frustration felt by many, as calls for the cancellation of the election reverberated across the state. The storm of discontent swirled, yet amidst the chaos, Governor Ododo stood firm, adamant in his assertion that the process was transparent, despite the mounting evidence suggesting otherwise.
The saga unfolded across 203 wards in the 18 LGAs of Ondo State, with Okitipupa LGA bearing witness to the rescheduling of elections due to logistical delays. Yet, even as the sun set on Sunday, discontent brewed on the streets of Akure, with party members staging protests over the perceived injustice of the electoral process. Adeniran Oyebade, director-general for Olusola Oke's campaign organization in Ondo central, minced no words in labeling the primary as "daylight robbery," encapsulating the sentiment of many who felt disenfranchised by the events that transpired.
