The Peoples Democratic Party has condemned the Ondo State governorship election, where the All Progressives Congress candidate, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, emerged victorious.
The PDP described the election as the “worst ever” conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission and criticized it as a “sham” that failed to meet the standards of a free, fair, and credible election.
In a statement, the party argued that the election was marred by widespread electoral malpractice, including vote buying and manipulation.
The PDP accused the APC of engaging in deceitful practices aimed at suppressing the will of the people, according to Independent.
It also claimed that the ruling party exploited poverty as a tool for political manipulation, using financial inducements to sway voters and secure an unfair victory.
The PDP expressed concern over the extent of these alleged practices, which it claimed were pervasive throughout the election. The party warned that such actions undermined the integrity of the democratic process and called on Nigerians and the international community to take notice.
It also demanded urgent action to address these issues in order to protect Nigeria’s democracy.
The PDP announced that its National Working Committee would conduct a detailed review of the election and its outcome, with plans to take further steps to defend democratic principles in the country.
“This election witnessed widespread election merchandising, monetisation and barefaced vote buying by the APC and its apparatus in government to suppress the genuine aspiration of the people.
“This devious practice by the APC was rampant and pervasive because the APC have utterly impoverished Nigerians and turned poverty into a weapon of mass subjugation which enabled it to manipulate the election and its outcome.
“We call the attention of all Nigerians and the International Community to this reprehensible practice by the APC as widely witnessed in the November 16, 2024 Governorship election in Ondo State and we demand that a serious action be taken to stem such if Nigeria’s democracy must survive.
“In the meantime, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP will be having a more detailed review of the election and its outcome and take appropriate action in the defence of our Democracy,” the party said in a statement.
