…Poll described as daylight robbery – ADC Candidates
The governorship candidates of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Agboola Ajayi, and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Mr. Myson Nejo, have strongly opposed the outcome of Saturday’s governorship election, labeling the exercise as “daylight robbery.”
APC Deployed N35bn for Vote-Buying
Speaking on behalf of the PDP candidate, the party’s State Collation Agent, Olaniyi Ogungbuji, accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of deploying over N35 billion to induce voters in the just-concluded Ondo State governorship election. Ogungbuji also alleged that voting did not take place at some polling units in Idanre Local Government Area.
He stated: “This is the end result of the election, but I can tell you that APC as a party deployed over N35 billion to induce the electorate. If this is the future of this nation, I think we are doomed.”
Ogungbuji added that the party’s candidate, Mr. Ajayi, and the party leadership would determine the next steps in the coming days. “I will report back to him (Ajayi) and the party, and they will decide on the appropriate action,” he said.
ADC Candidate Criticizes Election Conduct
The ADC candidate, Mr. Myson Nejo, also faulted the conduct of the Ondo governorship election, citing widespread vote-buying. Nejo claimed that his refusal to engage in vote-buying led to his defeat, but he expressed satisfaction with his decision, despite the loss.
He said, “I thank the good people of Ondo State for voting for me without accepting any money, and they still voted for me. I want to believe my vote is a valid vote because there was nothing unethical on my side. So far, I want to believe I’m a winner in this election.”
Nejo also confirmed that votes were being bought for as much as N20,000, describing the practice as alarming. He recounted, “People were buying votes for N20,000 or N15,000, and in my polling unit, it was between N10,000 and N15,000. But because I didn’t have money and I told them I wasn’t going to give a kobo to buy votes, I ended up with only two votes in my unit and about 40 votes in total. But I don’t care. People called me, asking for money in exchange for their votes, but I stood my ground. If they wanted to vote, they should vote. I wasn’t going to give a kobo to buy votes.”