Anyone who observed the aftermath of the 1983 elections in Ondo State understands that elections here are not to be taken lightly. Therefore, it’s essential to commend both INEC and the people of Ondo State for the largely peaceful conduct of the governorship election held on November 16, 2024. While there were some unfortunate incidents, such as gunfire meant to intimidate voters and isolated cases of ballot snatching, these did not overshadow the overall success of the election. Now that the ballots have been cast and the drama concluded, a winner has emerged who must be ready to roll up his sleeves and prioritize good governance to elevate Ondo State among Nigeria’s prosperous states.
The 2024 gubernatorial election was marked by a significant degree of peace. It featured a contest between two prominent candidates: Agboola Ajayi of the PDP, who previously served as deputy governor under the late Rotimi Akeredolu of the APC, and Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the APC, who assumed office following Akeredolu’s passing. Dr. Abbas Mimiko of the Zenith Labour Party struggled to gain traction, garnering only 2,692 votes across the 18 local governments, despite being related to former governor Dr. Olusegun Mimiko. In contrast, Aiyedatiwa emerged victorious with 366,781 votes, while Ajayi finished with 117,845 votes.
This election represented a resounding victory for the APC, which cleared all 18 local governments, even leaving Ajayi unable to secure a win in his home base of Ese Odo. The newly elected governor has pledged to maintain an inclusive and participatory government, ensuring every citizen has a voice in the state’s progress. He aims to prioritize the welfare of the people, stimulate economic growth, and position Ondo State as a beacon of hope and prosperity for future generations.
On the other hand, PDP candidate Agboola Ajayi has expressed dissatisfaction with INEC’s conduct, alleging that the electoral commission was compromised. He stated, “I believe there is a deliberate intent by INEC and the Resident Electoral Commission (REC). We have repeatedly voiced our distrust in Oluwatoyin Babalola (the REC). The system is compromised, and there have been numerous complaints about vote buying and issues with the BVAS system. It’s a shameful exercise.”
According to Friday Ochuko, a correspondent from The Beacon Newspaper who covered the election in Akure, the presence of heavy military personnel was noticeable, reminiscent of previous elections. This raises the question of when Nigeria will hold elections without such a significant military presence. He also highlighted the inadequate conditions of polling centers, which were merely makeshift setups lacking proper security.
Vote buying was another troubling aspect of the election, similar to previous contests. Ochuko observed instances of vote buying but could not determine which parties were involved. A viral video featured an elderly woman from Igbotako in Okitipupa local government during an interview by a TV journalist explaining how she received money to vote and then returned home. Additionally, officials from the Department of State Services (DSS) apprehended a suspected vote buyer with two large bags of cash near polling unit 007 in Akure, where it was reported that vote buying ranged from N5,000 to N25,000.
In terms of voter turnout, participation was not impressive, with only 508,963 voters casting their ballots, representing about 29% of the total PVCs collected. According to INEC, 1,757,205 PVCs were issued from over two million registered voters.
With the election behind us, it’s time for Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to concentrate on effective governance, perhaps taking inspiration from the late Alhaji Lateef Jakande, who made a lasting impact during his four years as governor of Lagos State. There is hope that Aiyedatiwa’s tenure in the Sunshine State will not be marked by empty promises but will instead deliver tangible benefits to the people. Considering the influence of money in the electoral process, it is common sense that politicians who engage in financial inducement will seek to recover their investments before initiating meaningful projects for the populace. We wish Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa a successful tenure and hope he will govern with a focus on the development and improved quality of life for the people of Ondo State.
