Alfred Agboola Ajayi, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ondo State’s election, has cried foul, alleging that the electoral process has been compromised. Speaking after casting his vote at Apoi Ward 11, Unit 004 in Ese-Odo Local Government Area, Ajayi condemned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its inability to conduct a smooth election in just one state.
Ajayi, who won the PDP primary with 264 votes out of 621, expressed frustration with the failure of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and rampant vote-buying by the All Progressives Congress (APC). He questioned the integrity of INEC and its Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola, citing previous concerns about her impartiality.
Despite these challenges, Ajayi remains confident of victory, urging Ondo State residents to exercise their franchise without fear. He emphasized the importance of resilience in the face of adversity, stating, “Our people must be resolute; come out and vote. We must not give in to the shenanigans of the APC and INEC. We will surely overcome.”
Ajayi’s concerns echo similar allegations of irregularities in other Nigerian elections, such as the Edo election. The situation highlights the need for electoral reform and increased transparency to ensure the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic process.
Ajayi raised issues of Failure of BVAS. The voting technology’s malfunction has compromised the electoral process. Widespread vote-buying by the APC has undermined the election’s credibility. Questions surround INEC’s ability to conduct a fair election, particularly regarding Mrs. Babalola’s role. Ajayi urged residents to vote without fear, implying intimidation tactics by the APC.
As the election unfolds, it remains to be seen how these issues will impact the outcome and the future of Ondo State’s governance.
