The Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its candidate for the Ondo State governorship election, Chief Bamidele Akingboye, have voiced their strong disapproval of the election results announced following Saturday’s polls.
At a press conference held on Monday in Akure, the state chairman of the SDP, Mr. Gbenga Akinbuli, called for an immediate annulment of the election, labeling the process as a “disgrace to democracy.”
Akinbuli alleged that voters faced severe intimidation and harassment at Ward 10, Unit 19 in the Ondo West Local Government Area, where he claimed individuals were bribed with sums ranging from N7,000 to N10,000 at the polling station.
He further asserted that the party’s agents were forcefully removed from many polling locations throughout the state, raising concerns about the integrity of the electoral process.
“It is absurd that our candidate could receive only two votes in Okitipupa, his hometown,” Akinbuli remarked. “How could it be that the SDP got no votes in Ilaje? Thugs drove everyone away from the polling stations, instilling fear in potential voters.”
According to Akinbuli, security personnel present at the polling stations failed to intervene as the party representatives were expelled, leading him to declare, “This election was riddled with severe irregularities, vote buying, and voter intimidation.”
He confirmed that the SDP plans to take legal action to contest the results, insisting that the election was nothing short of a “disgraceful spectacle.”
Akingboye, the SDP’s gubernatorial hopeful, expressed his disbelief over the events that transpired during the election. “What I witnessed was shocking. Even an APC leader attempted to physically confront me, but I chose to remain composed as it was a disheartening situation,” he stated.
During his voting experience in Okitipupa at Ward 2, Polling Unit 10, Akingboye reported witnessing an open auction for votes. “As someone committed to integrity, I refused to engage in any unlawful activities,” he added.
He concluded by asserting his belief that he should be declared the rightful winner of the election, arguing that genuine voters were unable to express their choice due to the violent tactics employed against their representatives.
“I consider myself the true winner of this election, and I urge INEC to officially recognize me as such,” Akingboye affirmed.
