Ondo Governorship Election: APC Leads in 15 LGAs, Collation Resumes at Noon

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has paused the collation of results for the Ondo State governorship election for a second time, following the announcement of results from 15 Local Government Areas (LGAs). The collation exercise is scheduled to resume at 12 noon to allow the arrival of results from the remaining LGAs.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) currently leads in all 15 LGAs announced so far, with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) trailing in second place. The collation officer, Professor Olayemi Akinwunmi, explained that the pause was necessary due to the distance of the remaining local governments—Ilaje, Odigbo, and Ese Odo—from Akure, the state capital.

“We adjourn till 12 noon. The local governments, Ilaje and Ese Odo, are very far, so we need to give time for their results to arrive,” Akinwunmi stated.

The 15 LGAs declared so far include Ifedore, Ondo East, Ileoluji Oke-Igbo, Idanre, Irele, Akoko South West, Owo, Ondo West, Akoko South East, Akoko North West, Ose, Akoko North East, Akure South, Akure North, and Okitipupa.

Controversy emerged in Idanre LGA, where the PDP agent alleged incidents of vote buying, ballot box snatching, and lack of voting in some areas. He called for the rejection of the results from the LGA. Despite this, INEC has not yet made a decision on the issue.

Earlier, INEC National Commissioner Professor Kunle Ajayi, speaking in Akure before collation began, assured the public that a winner would be declared as soon as all results were received, possibly by 6 a.m.

“I can assure you that until we declare the winner, we won’t leave here. We will wait until the last local government before we leave,” Ajayi affirmed.

INEC officials have reiterated their commitment to ensuring a transparent and timely conclusion to the collation process.