Ondo Governor Aiyedatiwa Wins APC Ticket, Defeats 15 Aspirants In Controversial Primary

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has emerged as the flagbearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the upcoming governorship election, following his victory in the party’s primary held on Saturday.

Despite securing a total of 48,569 votes across the 18 local government areas, the election process was marred by protests and allegations of irregularities from some of the aspirants.

The Primary Election Committee, chaired by Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo, announced the results on Sunday, revealing that a total of 95,178 voters were accredited out of the 171,922 registered party members. Governor Aiyedatiwa’s closest rivals were Mayowa Akinfolarin and Olusola Oke (SAN), who garnered 15,343 and 14,915 votes, respectively.

However, the election was not without controversy. Aspirants such as Gbenga Edema and the Programme Officer of the Wale Akinterinwa Campaign Organization, Sola Arowosafe, raised concerns about the distribution of electoral materials and the overall credibility of the exercise. They called for the cancellation of the primary, alleging that the election committee was not fair in conducting the process.

Notably, no results were reported for Ifedore Local Government Area, as the returning officer, Oliver Okpara, informed the electoral committee that there was no election in the area due to alleged shooting incidents.

Governor Aiyedatiwa’s victory was particularly significant in Ondo West Local Government Area, where he secured 10,610 votes, and in Akoko North West, where he received 5,430 votes. He also performed strongly in Ondo East and Akure South, garnering 4,803 and 3,265 votes, respectively.

As the APC gubernatorial candidate, Governor Aiyedatiwa will now focus on his re-election campaign, aiming to retain his position as the governor of Ondo State. The general election is expected to be keenly contested, with opposition parties also gearing up to challenge the incumbent governor.

Meanwhile, the announcement came amidst controversy and protests by some aspirants who called for the cancellation of the exercise over alleged irregularities and the replacement of Usman Ododo as the chairman of the committee.

Aiyedatiwa alongside 15 others contested the governorship election through a direct primary election.

They include; former Commissioner for Finance, Wale Akinterinwa; Olusola Oke (SAN); former member of the House of Representatives, Mayowa Akinfolarin; Senator Jimoh Ibrahim; former National Vice Chairman (Southwest), Isaacs Kekemeke and former Commissioner who represented the State on the governing board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Gbenga Edema.

Others are Gen. Ohunyeye Olamide Felix, a current member of the House of Representatives, Jimi Odimayo, Olusoji Adewale Ehinlanwo, Morayo Lebi, Diran Iyantan, Prof. Francis Faduyile and Engr. Ifeoluwa Oyedele while the two female aspirants among them are Funmilayo Adekojo, and Mrs. Funke Omogoroye Judith.

On December 27, 2023, Lucky Aiyedatiwa was sworn-in as governor of Ondo state following the death of his principal and former governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) who died in Germany after a protracted illness.